Western Ash-Leaved Maple 



655 



in outline, or the terminal one nearly round in outline, pointed, ver)' coarsely toothed 

 or sometimes 3-lobed, densely hairy on the under side even when nearly or (juite 

 mature, and more or less hair}' on the uj)per surface. The llowers api)ear with 

 the leaves, and resemble those of Acer Negundo, but the pedicels, calyx, ovar}', 

 and styles are densely woolly. The samaras are about 3 cm. long, little divergent, 

 fmely hairy even when ripe, the united part not constricted at the base, the usually 

 incurved wings i cm. wide or less, often overlapping, adnate to the seed-bearing 

 part only to or above the middle. 



The wood is nearly white, and a little heavier than that of the eastern tree; its 

 specific gravity being about 0.48. The tree is planted for shade in California, 

 and is locally known as False maple and Box elder maple. 



20. WESTERN ASH-LEAVED MAPLE Acer interior Britton, new species 



The Ash-leaved maple which inhabits the central part of the United States, 

 ranging from Alberta and Montana to Wyoming, western Nebraska, Kansas, 

 Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, differs 

 both from the eastern species and from that 

 of California in features which while indi- 

 viduallv seem insignificant are coUectivelv 

 sufficient to warrant its recognition as a 

 species. It is also known as Water ash. 



Its young twigs are either smooth or 

 finely velvety, and covered with a bloom. 

 The leaflets are firm in texture, thicker than 

 those of Acer Negundo, somewhat hair\' on 

 the under side, at least along the veins, and 

 usually have some hairs on the veins upon 

 the upper surface; they are coarsely 

 toothed, or often lobed, and usually 3 in 

 number, rarely 5. The anthers are not 

 long-pointed. The samaras are more or 

 less divergent, smooth when mature and 3 

 or 4 cm. long, the outer edge of the wing 

 straight or somewhat curv^ed, the wing ad- 

 nate to the seed-bearing part to about the 

 middle, the united portions not constricted at the base when ripe, though some- 

 times sHghtly so when the fruit is young. 



This tree ranges further north than the eastern species, and is more hardy in 

 cultivation. It is sometimes planted in the East, and extensively as a shade tree 

 within its range. The type specimen of the species is one collected by Professors 

 Underwood and Selby on chapparal covered hills southeast of Ouray, Colorado, 

 Sept. 7, 1901 (No. 11). 



Fig. 608. Western Ash-lcaved Maple. 



