MAPLE FAMILY 389 
opposite, 3-foliate leaves supplied with small stipules and droop- 
ing clusters of whitish flowers from the leaf-axils. Stamens 5; 
petals 5, alternate with the petals. Ovary of 2 or 3 parts, numer- 
ous ovules. Pod a large membraneous inflated capsule of 3 cells, 
each containing 1 to 4 hard seeds. 
STAPHYLEA, L. 
Characters as above. 
S. trifolia, L. (Fig. 9, pl. 91.) American BiappErR Nut. A shrub, 
6 to 12 ft. high, with smooth striped bark. Found in thickets. April- 
May. 
Famity VII.—ACERACEAE. Marie Faminy 
Trees or shrubs, with opposite leaves. Flowers which are gen- 
erally small in pendulous or spicate clusters may be perfect, having 
both stamens and pistils or these organs may find their homes in 
separate flowers, on the same plant or perfect and imperfect 
flowers may be found on the same tree. There is usually a calyx 
and a corolla, each of 5 divisions. Stamens 3 to 10. There are 2 
carpels or dry seed capsules which are joined together and to 
each of which is attached a winged appendage, a samara (see 
Fig. 51, p. 39), the “ Maple Key.” 
ACER, L. 
Characteristics of the family. 
Leaves simple and generally deeply lobed. 
Flowers in lateral pendulous fan-shaped clusters, appearing before the 
leaves. 
Leaves silvery white beneath . . . . « « «© « A. saccharinum 
eavesm culls winites beneath) 5) “<i i el) wNuei seis) ne ean eben 
Deaves: pale) gteen! beneath .° « <« « .« « « « «, As Saccharum 
Leaves full green both sides . . oleh unten ot EAL oorArE 
Flowers in eléngated, more or i spicate clusters. 
Clusters drooping nae tole re 3 - » A. pennsylvanicum 
Clusters erect . »- « »« A. spicatum 
Leaves compound, of 3 to 5 leaflets on a leaf- stem (pinnate) . « « A. Negundo 
1. A. saccharinum, L. (Fig. 4, pl. 92.) SritveR Mapie. WHITE 
Marte. Tree, 50 to 100 ft. high. Leaves deeply 5-lobed, the sinuses 
acute and the lobes narrow with irregular teeth; at base the leaf is cut 
almost squarely off or is slightly heart-shaped. Flowers appear before 
the leaves, corolla absent. The samaras diverge and become nearly or 
quite 2 in. long each, or often are unequally developed. Found in woods. 
Flowers open February to April. 
2. A. rubrum, L. (Fig. 1, pl. 92.) Rep Marre. Swamp Maptre. 
Tree, generally of less height than No. 1. Twigs red or reddish. Leaves 
2 to 6 in. long, 3- to 5-lobed, length exceeding width; the middle lobe 
generally longer than the others. The sinuses are acute and the lobes 
are irregularly and coarsely toothed. Flowers with both calyx and cor- 
olla, the latter of 4 or 5 red petals. Stamens scarlet, 5 or 6 in number. 
The key is scarlet borne on drooping stem 4 or 5 in, long. The wings 
