There are many varieties of this much varying species, but we have only mentioned those best known; many are only known by their native names, and there is some doubt as to their distinctive characteristics. They are all extremely handsome.
=A. pennsylvanicum= (Pennsylvanian).* _fl._ in long drooping, simple racemes. May. _l._ cordate, three-lobed, acuminated, finely and acutely serrated. _h._ 20ft. Trunk elegantly striped with white lines. North America, 1755. SYN. _A. striatum_.
=A. pictum= (painted).* _fl._ corymbose, stalked. _l._ five to seven-lobed; lobes triangular or oblong, entire, acuminated. _h._ 15ft. to 20ft. Temperate Asia, 1840. _A. p. connivens_ (converging), _A. p. marmoratum_ (spotted), _A. p. rubrum_ (red), and _A. p. variegatum_ (variegated), are varieties differing principally in the colouring of the leaves. All are very desirable.
=A. platanoides= (plane-like).* The Norway Maple. _fl._ on nearly erect stalked corymbs. May, June. _l._ cordate, smooth, five-lobed; lobes acuminated, with a few coarse acute teeth. _h._ 50ft. Europe, 1683. A very ornamental hardy tree, growing with great rapidity when young. It prefers a deep, well-drained soil.
=A. p. aureo variegatum= (golden-variegated).* _l._ variegated with yellow. Europe, 1383. This, to retain the variegation, requires to be propagated by budding or grafting. The same remarks are equally applicable to the other varieties.
=A. p. laciniatum= (cut-leaved).* _l._ deeply and variously cut, green and yellow.
=A. p. Schwedleri= (Schwedler's).* _l._ very large, deep bronzy-red. A vigorous grower, and most effective.
=A. p. variegatum= (variegated).* _l._ variegated with white. There are several other varieties, but of less importance than the foregoing.
=A. Pseudo-platanus= (Mock-plane tree).* Sycamore. _fl._ on rather compound pendulous racemes. May. _l._ cordate, with five acuminated unequally-toothed lobes. _h._ 30ft. to 60ft. Europe. There are few deciduous trees so well adapted for standing singly in rough exposed situations. A deep, soft, dry soil is most suitable for it, but it will grow in soils of very opposite qualities.
=A. P. albo variegata= (white-variegated).* A very beautiful form, in spring especially. _l._ white and green.