Sycamore maple leaf

Acer pseudoplatanus L. Sycamore maple

Characteristics...

• Arrangement: opposite 
• Shape: palmate (5 lobes)
• Margin: serrate (somewhat irregular)
• Venation: palmate (veins pronounced on underside of leaf)
• Size: 10-25 cm
• Petiole: 5-15 cm
• Texture: leathery
• Color: green (purple on some cultivars)

Sycamore maple tree post

American Sweetgum flowers - male and female

 The inflorescence of American Sweetgum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua) are paired male and female flowers growing in close proximity to each other.  In the image above as well as in several of the images below the upright male flower "raceme" (red color) and the hanging female flower (cream color) can be clearly seen.

In the image below the new flowers can be seen beside several of the previous years spiky seed pods.

The star shaped leaves of the American Sweetgum are seen unfolding as well.