Details Top

Internal ID UUID644006c7ee53f976384916
Scientific name Acer spicatum
Authority Lam.
First published in Encycl. 2: 381 (1786)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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General Uses Top

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Common products:
- Sap is tapped and processed into maple syrup; yields are lower in sugar than those of Acer saccharum, with typical sap sucrose concentrations around 1.5–2.0 % (w/v).
- Wood is used as fuel and for small craft objects such as tool handles, turned items, and musical‑instrument components.

Industrial and craft applications:
- Fuelwood: the species’ wood provides a moderate heat value suitable for residential heating when seasoned to ≤20 % moisture.
- Small wooden objects: the light, fine‑grained wood is readily shaped by turning or carving and is employed for low‑stress utility items.

Food and beverages (non‑medicinal):
- Maple syrup produced from Acer spicatum sap is marketed under standard maple‑syrup grades (e.g., U.S. Grade A, Grade B) and meets national food‑safety regulations.

Wood and fiber:
- The wood is described as light and soft, with an average air‑dry density of 0.50–0.60 g cm⁻³ and a low shrinkage factor, making it appropriate for fuel and low‑stress craft applications rather than large‑scale timber.

Properties relevant to use:
- Sap: sucrose concentration ≈1.5–2.0 % (lower than Acer saccharum), requiring longer evaporation to achieve desired syrup density; the resulting syrup has a mild flavor profile.
- Wood: density ≈0.52 g cm⁻³, compressive strength ≈30 MPa, lignin content ≈25 % of dry weight, cellulose ≈45 %–50 %, providing good fuel characteristics and ease of machining.

Standards and regulation:
- Maple‑syrup production must comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s maple‑syrup standards (21 CFR 102.13) and the Canadian Maple Syrup Regulations (SOR/2000‑184); sap processing follows FDA Good Manufacturing Practices.
- Firewood must meet ASTM D5865 specifications for energy content and moisture content.

Sustainability and sourcing:
- Acer spicatum is listed as a species of least concern (IUCN) and is abundant across northern temperate forests; limited harvesting for fuel or small timber is considered sustainable under current forest‑management guidelines.
- Sap tapping is conducted on a small, rotational basis; trees are tapped only after reaching a minimum diameter (≈10 cm) and are given a recovery period, minimizing impact on tree health.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Acer montanum W.T.Aiton Hortus Kew. 3: 435 (1811)
Acer parviflorum Ehrh. Beitr. Naturk. 4: 25 (1784)
Acer pumilum W.Bartram
Acer spicatum f. roseocarpum A.E.Murray Kalmia 11: 2 (1981)
Acer striatum Du Roi Harbk. Baumz. 1: 8 (1772)
Acer spicatum f. rugosum Schwer. Gartenflora 42: 268 1893

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
English moose maple
English dwarf maple
English mountain maple
English white maple
Belarusian клён гронкападобны
German vermont-ahorn
Finnish tähkävaahtera
French érable bâtard
French plaine bâtarde
French plaine bleue
French érable à épis
Hungarian füzéres juhar
Icelandic fjallahlynur
Japanese アメリカヤマモミジ
Latvian vārpainā kļava
Norwegian Bokmål topplønn
Polish klon kłosowy
Russian Клён колосистый
Swedish axlönn
Chinese 山槭
Chinese 穗果槭

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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Expose seeds to natural outdoor winter conditions for 3 months, then gradually increase light and temperature in the spring.
Requires Soaking: These seeds need to be soaked in warm water until they swell, which can take 24-48 hours. Seeds that float are usually not viable and should be discarded, along with the soaking water.
Sow seeds immediately as their viability decreases rapidly, or they best germinate when fresh. If stored, seeds might need temperature cycling and patience to germinate.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Northern America
    • Eastern Canada
      • Labrador
      • Newfoundland
      • Ontario
      • Québec
    • North-central U.S.A.
      • Illinois
      • Iowa
      • Minnesota
      • Wisconsin
    • Northeastern U.S.A.
      • Indiana
      • Michigan
      • New York
      • Ohio
      • Pennsylvania
      • Vermont
    • Southeastern U.S.A.
      • Georgia
      • Kentucky
      • Maryland
      • Tennessee
    • Western Canada
      • Saskatchewan

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!
Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000515128
UNII 8UV9I6566B
Canadensys 9215
USDA Plants ACSP2
Tropicos 200002
INPN 761908
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:781514-1
The Plant List kew-2616481
PFAF Acer spicatum
PaleoBotany 112400
Open Tree Of Life 403782
Observations.org 145461
NCBI Taxonomy 57652
Nature Serve 2.140241
IUCN Red List 193872
IPNI 781514-1
iNaturalist 116361
GBIF 3189848
Freebase /m/09hn_g
WisFlora 2426
FEIS plants/shrub/acespi
EPPO ACRSP
EOL 595760
Elurikkus 2502
USDA GRIN 100760
Wikipedia Acer_spicatum
CMAUP NPO22007

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
Biomass allocation and plant morphology explain the difference in shrub species abundance in a temperate forest Markgraf R, Doyon F, Delagrange S, Kneeshaw D Ecol Evol 03-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10694385
doi:10.1002/ece3.10774
PMID:38053791
Comparative transcriptomics reveals divergence in pathogen response gene families amongst 20 forest tree species Lu M, Cao M, Yang J, Swenson NG G3 (Bethesda) 09-Oct-2023
PMCID:PMC10700026
doi:10.1093/g3journal/jkad233
PMID:37812763
The most polyphagous insect herbivore? Host plant associations of the Meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (L.) Thompson V, Harkin C, Stewart AJ PLoS One 04-Oct-2023
PMCID:PMC10602594
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0291734
PMID:37792900
Commodity risk assessment of Acer campestre plants from the UK Bragard C, Baptista P, Chatzivassiliou E, Di Serio F, Jaques Miret JA, Justesen AF, MacLeod A, Magnusson CS, Milonas P, Navas‐Cortes JA, Parnell S, Potting R, Reignault PL, Stefani E, Thulke H, Van der Werf W, Vicent Civera A, Yuen J, Zappalà L, Battisti A, Mas H, Rigling D, Faccoli M, Gardi C, Iacopetti G, Mikulová A, Mosbach‐Schulz O, Stergulc F, Streissl F, Gonthier P EFSA J 06-Jul-2023
PMCID:PMC10323733
doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8071
PMID:37427018
Commodity risk assessment of Acer pseudoplatanus plants from the UK Bragard C, Baptista P, Chatzivassiliou E, Di Serio F, Jaques Miret JA, Justesen AF, MacLeod A, Magnusson CS, Milonas P, Navas‐Cortes JA, Parnell S, Potting R, Reignault PL, Stefani E, Thulke H, Van der Werf W, Vicent Civera A, Yuen J, Zappalà L, Battisti A, Mas H, Rigling D, Faccoli M, Gardi C, Iacopetti G, Mikulová A, Mosbach‐Schulz O, Stergulc F, Streissl F, Gonthier P EFSA J 06-Jul-2023
PMCID:PMC10323731
doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8074
PMID:37427019
Commodity risk assessment of Acer palmatum plants from the UK Bragard C, Baptista P, Chatzivassiliou E, Di Serio F, Jaques Miret JA, Justesen AF, MacLeod A, Magnusson CS, Milonas P, Navas‐Cortes JA, Parnell S, Potting R, Reignault PL, Stefani E, Thulke H, Van der Werf W, Vicent Civera A, Yuen J, Zappalà L, Battisti A, Mas H, Rigling D, Faccoli M, Gardi C, Iacopetti G, Mikulová A, Mosbach‐Schulz O, Stergulc F, Streissl F, Gonthier P EFSA J 06-Jul-2023
PMCID:PMC10323724
doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8075
PMID:37427020
Commodity risk assessment of Acer platanoides plants from the UK Bragard C, Baptista P, Chatzivassiliou E, Di Serio F, Jaques Miret JA, Justesen AF, MacLeod A, Magnusson CS, Milonas P, Navas‐Cortes JA, Parnell S, Potting R, Reignault PL, Stefani E, Thulke H, Van der Werf W, Vicent Civera A, Yuen J, Zappalà L, Battisti A, Mas H, Rigling D, Faccoli M, Gardi C, Iacopetti G, Mikulová A, Mosbach‐Schulz O, Stergulc F, Streissl F, Gonthier P EFSA J 06-Jul-2023
PMCID:PMC10323725
doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8073
PMID:37427021
Bryorutstroemia (Rutstroemiaceae, Helotiales), a New Genus to Accommodate the Neglected Sclerotiniaceous Bryoparasitic Discomycete Helotium fulvum Baral HO, Sochorová Z, Sochor M Life (Basel) 18-Apr-2023
PMCID:PMC10144084
doi:10.3390/life13041041
PMID:37109570
The Unexpected Identity of Tympanis vagabunda Quijada L, Baral HO, Pfister DH Life (Basel) 28-Feb-2023
PMCID:PMC10058965
doi:10.3390/life13030661
PMID:36983817
Nitrogen and sulfur deposition reductions projected to partially restore forest soil conditions in the US Northeast, while understory composition continues to shift with future climate change LeDuc SD, Clark CM, Phelan J, Belyazid S, Bennett M, Boaggio K, Buckley J, Cajka J, Jones P Water Air Soil Pollut 05-Sep-2022
PMCID:PMC9610802
doi:10.1007/s11270-022-05793-5
PMID:36312741
Genera of phytopathogenic fungi: GOPHY 4 Chen Q, Bakhshi M, Balci Y, Broders KD, Cheewangkoon R, Chen SF, Fan XL, Gramaje D, Halleen F, Jung MH, Jiang N, Jung T, Májek T, Marincowitz S, Milenković I, Mostert L, Nakashima C, Nurul Faziha I, Pan M, Raza M, Scanu B, Spies CF, Suhaizan L, Suzuki H, Tian CM, Tomšovský M, Úrbez-Torres JR, Wang W, Wingfield BD, Wingfield MJ, Yang Q, Yang X, Zare R, Zhao P, Groenewald JZ, Cai L, Crous PW Stud Mycol 02-Jun-2022
PMCID:PMC9365048
doi:10.3114/sim.2022.101.06
PMID:36059898
Commodity risk assessment of Acer palmatum plants grafted on Acer davidii from China Bragard C, Baptista P, Chatzivassiliou E, Di Serio F, Jaques Miret JA, Justesen AF, MacLeod A, Magnusson CS, Milonas P, Navas‐Cortes JA, Parnell S, Potting R, Reignault PL, Stefani E, Thulke H, Van der Werf W, Vicent Civera A, Yuen J, Zappalà L, Battisti A, Mas H, Rigling D, Faccoli M, Iacopetti G, Mikulová A, Mosbach‐Schulz O, Stergulc F, Gonthier P EFSA J 12-May-2022
PMCID:PMC9096882
doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7298
PMID:35592020
The long‐term effects of invasive earthworms on plant community composition and diversity in a hardwood forest in northern Minnesota Alexander G, Almendinger J, White P Plant Environ Interact 21-Apr-2022
PMCID:PMC10168095
doi:10.1002/pei3.10075
PMID:37284009
Pest categorisation of Malacosoma disstria Bragard C, Baptista P, Chatzivassiliou E, Di Serio F, Gonthier P, Jaques Miret JA, Justesen AF, Magnusson CS, Milonas P, Navas‐Cortes JA, Parnell S, Potting R, Reignault PL, Stefani E, Thulke H, Van der Werf W, Vicent Civera A, Yuen J, Zappalà L, Grégoire J, Malumphy C, Kertesz V, Maiorano A, MacLeod A EFSA J 31-Mar-2022
PMCID:PMC8968749
doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7208
PMID:35386570
Impacts of spruce budworm defoliation on the habitat of woodland caribou, moose, and their main predators Chagnon C, Bouchard M, Pothier D Ecol Evol 18-Mar-2022
PMCID:PMC8932078
doi:10.1002/ece3.8695
PMID:35342555

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Galloyl esters
[(2R,3R,4R,5S)-3,5-dihydroxy-4-(3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoyl)oxyoxan-2-yl]methyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate 53233246 Click to see C1C(C(C(C(O1)COC(=O)C2=CC(=C(C(=C2)O)O)O)O)OC(=O)C3=CC(=C(C(=C3)O)O)O)O 468.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/JPS.3030290504
[3,5-Dihydroxy-4-(3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoyl)oxyoxan-2-yl]methyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate 15558211 Click to see C1C(C(C(C(O1)COC(=O)C2=CC(=C(C(=C2)O)O)O)O)OC(=O)C3=CC(=C(C(=C3)O)O)O)O 468.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/JPS.3030290504
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids
11-Phenylundecanoic acid 76863 Click to see 262.40 unknown via CMAUP database
12-Phenyllauric acid 151922 Click to see 276.40 unknown via CMAUP database
13-Phenyltridecanoic acid 10541544 Click to see 290.40 unknown via CMAUP database
14-Phenyltetradecanoic acid 53889721 Click to see 304.50 unknown via CMAUP database
15-Phenylpentadecanoic acid 2737151 Click to see 318.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Palmitic Acid 985 Click to see 256.42 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Medium-chain fatty acids
10-Phenyldecanoic acid 140324 Click to see 248.36 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Quinone and hydroquinone lipids / Vitamin E compounds / Tocopherols
Vitamin E 14985 Click to see 430.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Quinone and hydroquinone lipids / Vitamin E compounds / Tocotrienols
Plastochromenol-8 23628792 Click to see 749.20 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids
Caryophyllene oxide 1742210 Click to see 220.35 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
Squalene 638072 Click to see 410.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Cycloartanols and derivatives
(1S,3R,8R,11S,12S,15R,16R)-15-[(2R,6S)-7-hydroxy-6-methyl-5-methylideneheptan-2-yl]-7,7,12,16-tetramethylpentacyclo[9.7.0.01,3.03,8.012,16]octadecan-6-one 100966504 Click to see 454.70 unknown via CMAUP database
24-Methylene-cycloartanol palmitate 101933290 Click to see 679.20 unknown via CMAUP database
24-Methylenecycloartanol 94204 Click to see 440.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Oxosteroids / 16-oxosteroids
(1R,2S,5S,6R,9S,10S,13S,15R,16S)-6-ethyl-15,16-dihydroxy-5-methyl-17-oxapentacyclo[14.2.1.01,13.02,10.05,9]nonadecan-7-one 21634667 Click to see 348.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Pregnane steroids / Gluco/mineralocorticoids, progestogins and derivatives
2beta,3beta-Dihydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-16-one 101712286 Click to see 334.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
gamma-Sitosterol 457801 Click to see 414.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Glucoclionasterol 12309067 Click to see 576.80 unknown via CMAUP database
Poriferasterol 5281330 Click to see CCC(C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C 412.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Sitogluside 5742590 Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C 576.80 unknown via CMAUP database
Stigmasterol Glucoside 6602508 Click to see 574.80 unknown via CMAUP database
Stigmasteryl-beta-d-glucopyranoside 12895774 Click to see CCC(C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C 574.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives / Proline and derivatives
(2R)-1-methylpyrrolidin-1-ium-2-carboxylate 6951136 Click to see 129.16 unknown via CMAUP database
(4R)-4-Hydroxy-1-methyl-L-proline 11768700 Click to see CN1CC(CC1C(=O)O)O 145.16 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones / Gamma butyrolactones
(3R,4S,5S)-3-[(Z)-hexadec-7-enyl]-4-hydroxy-5-methyloxolan-2-one 102316568 Click to see 338.50 unknown via CMAUP database
(3R,4S,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3-(13-phenyltridecyl)oxolan-2-one 102316566 Click to see 374.60 unknown via CMAUP database
(3R,4S,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3-tetradecyloxolan-2-one 11174423 Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC1C(C(OC1=O)C)O 312.50 unknown via CMAUP database
(3R)-3alpha-(11-Phenylundecyl)-4alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-methyl-4,5-dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one 102316567 Click to see CC1C(C(C(=O)O1)CCCCCCCCCCCC2=CC=CC=C2)O 346.50 unknown via CMAUP database

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