Acer negundo var. negundo

Native

Wet or moist. Rich soil. Stream banks.

March to May

Reddish

30′ to 50′

Twigs are hairless, green to olive green, and shiny. They are sometimes covered with a whitish, waxy bloom (glaucous).

The leaves are opposite, compound, with 3, 5, or (rarely) 7 leaflets. It is the only maple with compound leaves. Saplings usually have just 3 leaflets. The leaf undersides are hairless.

Saplings usually have just 3 leaflets, which may cause them to be misidentified as western poison ivy (Toxicodendron rydbergii). That plant, however, has alternate leaves.

Boxelder (Acer negundo var. interius) twigs are covered with velvety hairs. The leaf undersides usually have tufts of hairs in the vein axils.

boxelder (var. negundo)