Rocky Mountain Maple
Acer glabrum

Family: Soapberry (Sapindaceae)
AKA: Red Maple, Dwarf Maple
Photo taken on: July 3, 2007
Location: Taylor Canyon, GV, CO
Life Zones: Foothills to montane
Habitat: Moist coniferous forests

Is a tall shrub or small tree growing to 25 feet tall but usually a multi-stemmed shrub, 5 to 6 feet tall. Bark is smooth and gray, until mature when fissures develop. Young twigs are smooth and reddish. Leaves are three-lobed and sharply toothed. Like their Eastern US cousins, leaves turn yellow and red in the Fall.

Photo taken on: August 3, 2021
Location: Spring Creek, GV, CO

Flowers are inconspicuous and yellowish green in drooping clusters. Seeds are pairs of winged samaras.