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Maple
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Maple ,
common name for a small family of trees, widespread in the temperate areas of
the northern hemisphere, and for its representative genus. The family, which
contains 2 genera and about 113 species, is recognized by its opposite leaves
and small, radially symmetrical flowers in loose clusters. The flowers often
lack petals. The ovary (female flower part) consists of two fused carpels
(egg-bearing structures), which mature into two winged fruits. Maples are
widely grown as ornamentals and street trees for their foliage and autumn
colors. The species most commonly grown are medium to large deciduous trees
with lobed "maple-shaped" leaves, such as the one depicted on the
Canadian flag.
Commonly
planted species are red maple, sugar maple, black maple, and Norway maple. All
these are natives of North America and Europe. Many of the Asian species
differ radically from their western relatives. Some are small trees or bushes,
some are evergreen, and some have entire (unlobed) leaves. The box elder, a
maple native to much of the United States, has compound leaves with three to
five leaflets. In addition to their ornamental importance, maples are a source
of good timber, especially sycamore maple, and of sugar or syrup, especially
sugar maple. The other genus of the family contains two species that are found
in China.
 Maple has a
wonderful taste when cooking with fish, jerky and bacon!
Gives it a mild
but sweet flavor similar to the aroma of boiling down maple syrup
in Vermont.
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