Family: Aceraceae, Maple view all from this family

Description Shrub or small tree with short trunk and slender, upright branches, hairless throughout.
Height: 30' (9 m).
Diameter: 1' (0.3 m).
Leaves: opposite; 1 1/2-4 1/2" (4-11 cm) long and wide, sometimes smaller. 3 short-pointed lobes (sometimes 5) or divided into 3 lance-shaped leaflets; doubly saw-toothed, 3 or 5 main veins from base; long, reddish leafstalks. Shiny dark green above, paler or whitish beneath; turning red or yellow in autumn.
Bark: gray or brown; smooth, thin.
Twigs: reddish-brown, slender.
Flowers: 1/4" (6 mm) wide; greenish-yellow; 4 narrow sepals and 4 petals on drooping stalks; in branched clusters; male and female usually on separate plants; with new leaves in spring.
Fruit: 3/4-1" (2-2.5 cm) long; paired, forking, long-winged keys; reddish, turning light brown; 1-seeded; maturing in late summer or autumn.

Habitat Moist soils, especially along canyons and mountain slopes in coniferous forests.

Range SE. Alaska, British Columbia, and SW. Alberta, south mostly in mountains to S. New Mexico and S. California; to 5000-9000' (1524-2743 m) in south.

Discussion The northernmost maple in the New World, it extends through southeastern Alaska. Deer, elk, cattle, and sheep browse the foliage. The Latin species name, meaning "hairless," refers to the leaves.