Striped Maple
Acer pensylvanicum
- Native to:
- Canada, Prince Edward I., United States
Bill Cook, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- Acer pensylvanicum
- USDA Symbol:
- ACPE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 1000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, greenish-yellow
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
American Dagger Moth (Acronicta americana), Canadian Melanolophia (Melanolophia canadaria), Curve-toothed geometer (Eutrapela clemataria), Engrailed (Ectropis crepuscularia), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Heterocampa sp., hibiscus Quaker (Orthosia hibisci), maple-basswood leafroller (Sparganothis pettitana), Morrisonia latex, Nameless Pinion (Lithophane innominata), Peppered Moth (Biston betularia), Plagodis sp., Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), Scorched Wing (Plagodis phlogosaria), singed pinion (Lithophane semiusta)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, browse for deer and moose
- Fall Color:
- yellow, red
- Fire Notes:
- Thin bark makes it susceptible to fire damage. Not fire-adapted; typically found in mesic forests with infrequent fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage preferred
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers cool, shaded environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold-moist stratification. Germination improved with exposure to light. Fresh seed germinates better than stored seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Expose to fluctuation outdoor winter temperatures including freezing for 3 months. Gradually increase light and temperature in the spring. * remove inner seed coat