Drummond Red Maple

Acer rubrum var. drummondii

Swamp Maple

NPSOT, NTX, NLCP Level 3, Marie-Theres Herz; Herbarium Sheet

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Native Habitat: Woodland, Wetland or Riparian

Western Gulf Coastal Plain

Maintenance

Prune for shape or to raise canopy.

Comments

Attractive fall foliage; in spring, decorative red male flowers & female samaras (seeds). Drummond’s Red Maple has a leathery upper surface on its leaves, and a lighter lower surface. It differs from the other varieties by being pubescent (“hairy”) on the silvery lower surface of its leaves. Not drought tolerant. Provides browse for deer, seeds for birds and small mammals. Grows in moist, open woodlands and swamps. Larval host for Sphinx Moths.

Growth Form

Tree

Height

50 to

90 ft

Spread

30 to

60 ft

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Acid, Calcareous, Poor Drainage, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium, High

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Bloom Color

Red

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Fall Color, Seeds, Forage, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Small Mammals, Deer, Moths

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References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ACRUD. 3) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=30529&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 4) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 331. 5) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48.

Native Plant Society of Texas