Acer rubrum (
Red Maple, also known as
Swamp,
Water or
Soft Maple), is one of the most common and widespread deciduous
trees of eastern and central
North America. The U.S. Forest service recognizes it as the most common species of tree in America. The red maple ranges from southeastern
Manitoba around the
Lake of the Woods on the border with
Ontario and
Minnesota, east to
Newfoundland, south to
Florida, and southwest to eastern
Texas. Many of its features, especially its leaves, are quite variable in form. At maturity it often attains a height of around . It is aptly named as its flowers, petioles, twigs and seeds are all red to varying degrees. Among these features, however, it is best known for its brilliant deep scarlet foliage in autumn.