Acer negundo
Manitoba Maple
Acer negundo L.Common names:
Box Elder
Ash-leaf maple
Three-leaf maple
- ANPC Rank –
- Moss, Flora of Alberta – Widely planted, possibly native in SE
- Global Invasive Species Database – No
- NatureServe Rank – Yes, not yet assessed
- Haber, Upland – Minor
- Haber, Wetland – No
- CWF, Status & Invasive Range – No
- Alberta Revegetation Guidelines – No
- The Nature Conservancy – No
- CBCN – No
- AB Weed – No
Remarks
Native in some places in Alberta. Native ecological communities with Manitoba Maple as the dominant woodland species are considered rare. These appear to be restricted to coulees along rivers in eastern Alberta, as far north as the Battle River. Elsewhere, introduced from eastern North America with settlement - not European. It is wind pollinated and monoceious, so although crossing of native and horticultural material remains a possibility, planting only males reduces risk of spread into new habitats from deliberate plantings.
Edible: like sugar maple, the sap can be collected and used to make syrup. It requires more boiling, to concentrate the sugar, but is reported to be quite similar otherwise.
[[1]]Link to USDA Plants profile for Acer negundo L. boxelder