Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Box Elder

The Manitoba Maple is widely planted throughout Alberta. Fruit is in the form of samara (which some people call keys) about 3 cm long and borne in pairs. These pairs are part of a clump of pairs hanging from the same branch. These are shed in winter or early spring. This tree is also known as Box Elder. "In early spring, the Cree collected the sap of Manitoba Maples for use as a sugar substitute. Manitoba Maple is the only Maple species with compound leaves." From "Plants of Alberta" by Royer and Dickinson. P9160020