Acer pseudoplatanus L.

Monoecious, deciduous tree to 20 m high with smooth grey bark. Shoots green, glabrous. Buds large; inner scales to 5 cm long, pinkish. Petiole slender, to c. 15 cm long, usually reddish. Lamina simple, 5-lobed to c. 1/2 way on mature trees, mostly 8–14 × 10–20 cm, glaucescent or sometimes green below, becoming glabrous or with hairs confined to main vein axils below; lobes ovate, coarsely and irregularly crenate-serrate or lobulate; lf base subcordate or cordate. Panicles 5–15 cm long (including main stem), pendulous, appearing with the lvs; pedicels glabrous or hairy. Fls dense, numerous; sepals and petals 2–4 mm long, oblong, green. Stamens (6)–8–(10), exserted; filaments hairy towards base; anthers c. 1 mm long. Ovary white-villous. Samara wings 2–4 cm long, often reddish, usually spreading at a broadly obtuse angle, sometimes slightly incurved. Seed 0.5–1 cm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Oct.–Nov.