Native Plant of the Month: Southern Sugar Maple, Acer floridanum

This deciduous tree grows to 60 feet tall. Yellow and green flowers form in April followed by winged fruit. The leaves turn red, orange and yellow in the fall. These trees are often found along streams. They thrive in sun, part shade or shade. This tree loves moist, well-drained soil but can handle occasional wet conditions.

The Imperial Moth, Eacles imperialis, larvae feed on this plant from April-October. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed. The Southern Sugar Maple flowers are visited by pollinators and seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. This tree is an early spring source of nectar for native bees.

This tree can be propagated from seed. For maximum germination, seeds require a period of warm-moist stratification followed by cool stratification. Cutting can be taken in early summer from new growth. Keep the cutting in a humid environment with low light. 

Native Americans taught the early colonists how to tap these trees to make maple syrup.

Photo credits: left - Donna Gauthier