Rocky Mountain Maple
Acer glabrum

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

There are about 120-150 Acer species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It occurs in mountains from 1500-2000 m altitude in the Rocky Mountains in the USA. They need a moist well drained soil. They prefer a sunny position but can tolerate some shade. They can grow in a range of soils and soil pH's. They can tolerate cold to - 25°C. It needs cold conditions to thrive. They often grow along stream banks. It suits hardiness zones 4-7.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Britain, Canada, Europe, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The young shoot are cooked and eaten. The dried crushed leaves have been used as a spice. The seed are boiled and eaten after the wings have been removed. The inner bark is dried and ground into flour then used in soups to thicken them.

The bark is an emergency food only.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves, bark

How it is grown

Plants are easily grown from seed. Seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours then kept cold at 0-8°C for 2-4 months to assist them to grown. Seed can be sown fresh if green seeds are used. Seed should be grown in a nursery then transplanted. Cuttings or layering can be used.

Its other names

Local names

California mountain maple, Douglas maple, Rock maple

Synonyms

Possibly Acer glabrum var. douglasii; Acer neo-mexicanum Greene;