Bigtooth Maple
Acer grandidentatum
Also known as: canyon maple
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Scott Catron
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- Acer grandidentatum
- USDA Symbol:
- ACGR3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, green
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Caloptilia acerifoliella, Cameraria superimposita, Phyllonorycter pernivalis
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, browsing ungulates
- Fall Color:
- red, orange, yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire or top-kill. Moderate fire tolerance with relatively thick bark at maturity.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.5 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Thrives in rocky, mountainous areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold-moist stratification and germinate best with light exposure. Fresh seed germinates better than stored seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are soaked overnight and then placed in a self sealing plastic bag filled with moist vermiculite and stratified for 70 days from 2 to 40C. Alternatively, seeds can be stratified naturally by planting them in the fall in a thin layer of sand on mulched field beds.
Establishment: Seeds can be wild collected or purchased from a commercial supplier. Germination rates can be highly variable.
Source: npn.rngr.net