Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)

Sapindaceae family, Sapindaceae

Origin: all Europe, it is native to the Czech Republic

Habitat in the original area: scree and ravine forests, often in synanthropic habitats (near fences, railway stations) 

Habitus: The tree grows up to the height of 30 metres, it has a dense broadly ovate crown. The bark is grey, finely cracked in older trees. 

Leaf: Leaves grow alternately. The petiole is up to 17 centimetres long, milky when plucked. The blade is 5–7-lobed, up to 15 centimetres long, dark green on the upper side, lighter on the lower side. In autumn it turns yellowish. 

Bloom, fruit: It blooms from April to May with yellow-green, small, inconspicuous blossoms arranged in hanging clusters. The fruit is a winged dioecious achene up to 5 centimetres long forming an acute angle.

Interesting fact: It is often planted in cities and in various cultivars differing in height or leaf colour and appearance. In the given location, the cultivar ‘Drummondii’ with variegated cream-coloured leaves is grown