TREES AND SHRUBS 115 



The Maple Family (Aceraceae) is represented by two 

 .genera of trees: the Maple proper (Acer) and the Box Elder 

 (Rulac). The Maples are not common in the State, and the 

 cultivated species do not grow well at the lower levels, and 

 only fairly well at the higher ones, where they are somewhat 

 sparingly used. There are 4 native species, 2 of which are 

 relatively common. The first (Acer neomexicanum) is a low 

 spreading tree with red stems and usually 3-foliolate leaves. 

 It grows only in the higher mountains at elevations of about 

 7,000 feet. The other common species (A. grandidentatwn) 

 is usually found in the hotter mountains at lower levels and 

 in drier situations. The bark of. this tree is usually gray, with 

 darker blotches. The leaves are simple and with 5 blunt 

 lebes. each having a few large teeth. An undescribed species 

 grows in the extreme southwestern corner, coming into this 

 State from Arizona and probably from northern Mexico-. 



The Box Elder (Rulac negundo) is a good sized tree, 25 

 to 40 feet high, with dense spreading top and smooth greenish 

 stems. The leaves are pinnatly 3 or 5-foliolate, and the flow- 

 ers dioecious. The tree is fairly common in the mountains 

 along small streams, and is cultivated considerably in the ir- 

 rigated valleys, where it makes an excellent shade tree. 



ACERACEAE. Maple Family 

 Small or large trees with smooth exfoliating bark; leaves 

 ■ opposite, simple, palmately lobed or pinnately compound; flowers 

 polygamous or dioecious in axillary racemes or corymbs; sepals 4 

 or 5; petals as many or mostly wanting; stamens as many as the 

 sepals, rarely 8, inserted on a disk or disk wanting; pistil of 2 or 

 more united carpels becoming 2 laterally winged samaras. 



'Leaves simple or palmately 3-foliolate; young 

 branches reddish or gray; flowers polyga- 

 mous. 1 • ACER. 



iLeaves pinnately 3 or 5-foliolate; young branches 



green; flowers dioecious. 2. Rulac. 



