Carolina Red Maple is a common tree of wet habitats in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont of North Carolina. It differs from var. rubrum, which is more common in uplands, in having smaller leaves that usually have 3 instead of 5 lobes and are more rounded at the base.

Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.

The leaf undersides are glaucous (whitened).

Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.

Nearly hairless leaf underside. Carolina Red Maple is very similar to Drummond's Red Maple (Acer rubrum var. drummondii), which has hairy leaf undersides and larger samaras.

Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.

Orange Co., NC 4/20/03.

The samaras are a brilliant red when they're young, later turning tan.

Scotland Co., NC 4/20/05.

Staminate (male) flowers. The flowers have a delicate sweet fragrance.

Moore Co., NC 3/14/07.

Detail of staminate flowers.

Moore Co., NC 3/14/07.

Bark of a medium-sized tree.

Orange Co., NC 4/20/03.

Bark of a small tree.

Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.

Bark of a large tree.

Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.