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Cristian-M — Maple leaves 40D0029503

Published: 2008-12-29 14:46:57 +0000 UTC; Views: 296; Favourites: 20; Downloads: 0
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Description Maple (Acer sp.)

Maple is a genus of trees or shrubs. There are approximately 125 species, most of which are native to Asia, but several species also occur in Europe, northern Africa, and North America. The word Acer is derived from a Latin word meaning "sharp", referring to the characteristic points on the leaves.

Maples are mostly trees growing to 10-40 meters (30-130 ft) in height. Others are shrubs less than 10 meters tall with a number of small trunks originating at ground level. Most species are deciduous, but a few in southern Asia and the Mediterranean region are evergreen. Most are shade-tolerant when young, and are often late-successional in ecology; many of the smaller species are usually understory trees growing under the canopies of other larger trees, while the larger species eventually become dominant canopy trees.

The leaves are used as a food plant for the larvae of a number of Lepidoptera species. Aphids are also very common sap-feeders on maples.

The particularly spectacular fall colors of the Acer rubrum (Red Maple) are a major contributor to the seasonal landscape in southeastern Canada and in New England. In the American Pacific Northwest and British Columbia it is the spectacular fall colors of Acer circinatum (Vine Maple) that draw tourists and photographers.

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Comments: 7

stargate4ever23 [2009-03-03 00:50:34 +0000 UTC]

ooh, prettyness!

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shaggz86 [2009-01-08 07:11:45 +0000 UTC]

beautiful

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Chromattix [2008-12-30 00:38:02 +0000 UTC]

Nice lesson there, I love Maple trees but never knew any originated from Africa, nor did I know there were evergreen ones too. They aren't a common sight in Australia, the fact that it's so hot and dry for most of the year means Maple trees from cooler, moister climates like asia and Europe need extra care when young here, and I guess few gardeners are willing to do that Japanese Maples are my favourites, they have the most intense Autumn colours I've seen, and their smaller leaves makes them great bonsai subjects

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AmongTheFirst [2008-12-29 19:11:01 +0000 UTC]

That's a very interesting report on maples. I grew up with the vine maple in B.C. and I am amazed the majority of maples are in Asia. I find it interesting how the Latin word for "sharp" gave rise to the Spanish word for steel-acero

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AExils [2008-12-29 17:25:50 +0000 UTC]

J'adore !

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Cristian-M In reply to AExils [2008-12-30 14:44:44 +0000 UTC]

Merci!

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PhotographShark [2008-12-29 15:00:47 +0000 UTC]

The green leaf looks like it was burned.
But I love the colors! 8D

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