Plant · GBIF taxon 3189866
box elder
Acer negundoAlso known as Boxelder Maple, Manitoba Maple, Ash-leaved Maple, California Boxelder
Box elder stands out among maples with its pinnately compound, ash-like leaves and sprawling, multi-trunk growth along riverbanks and floodplains. Native across North America, this resilient pioneer tree thrives in moist soils, stabilizing riverbanks and offering fast shade in disturbed landscapes. Dense clusters of winged samaras linger on female trees throughout winter, providing critical cold-weather forage for wintering songbirds and small mammals.
DeciduousFast-GrowingRiparian
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil Nutrients
Predators
- Boxelder Bug
- Asian Longhorned Beetle
- North American Beaver
ThreatsAsian longhorned beetle infestation and habitat clearing
HabitatsRiverbanks, floodplains, and disturbed moist soils
Life span60 to 100 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilySapindaceae
- SpeciesAcer negundo
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Produces abundant windborne pollen in spring that can trigger seasonal allergies.
Responsible observation
- Leaf Identification: Look for opposite, compound leaves with three to seven coarsely lobed leaflets that recall poison ivy or ash.
- Winter Wildlife Watching: Scan female trees during winter for persistent hanging seed pairs that attract evening grosbeaks.
- Spotting Invertebrates: Check surrounding bark and sunny walls in autumn for swarms of black-and-red boxelder bugs.
Specialized Feeder (c) Susan Blayney, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Susan Blayney · cc-by
Habitat Competitor (c) Nicholas A. Tonelli, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) James St. John, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by mefisher · cc0
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