Sapindaceae (soapberry family) Acer

Acer circinatum vine maple

Sierra Nevada, Pacific Northwest to Alaska
Acer circinatum leaf and samara. From: Howard E. McMinn & Evelyn Maino, An Illustrated Manual of Pacific Coast Trees

A small tree with large, many-lobed leaves, and having a clambering habit under forest conditions or when cultivated in shady places, where its fall color and red keys with widely spread wings (about 1½ inches long) are valued for their lively effect. Native around Stanford Sierra Camp.

There are two old plants growing on the east side of the Carnegie Institute main building.

Name derivation: Acer – Latin for maple; circinatum – rounded (the leaves).

About this Entry: The main text of this entry is from the book Trees of Stanford and Environs, by Ronald Bracewell, published 2005. John Rawlings added the Carnegie location. Family name updated from Aceraceae to Sapindaceae Oct 2017 (SP).