The Scarlet-flowering maple (A. rubrum) is found chiefly on the borders of rivers, or in swamps; the latter place appears best suited to this tree, for it there often attains a very large size: it is frequently called the Soft maple or Swamp maple. The blossoms come out about the middle of April while the branches are yet bare of leaves, and their numerous little pendulous stamens appear like small tufts of scarlet or purple threads. The leaves somewhat resemble those of the Sugar maple, but are rather smaller, and only three or four lobed, glaucous or whitish underneath, and irregularly toothed on the margin. This tree may easily be distinguished when young from the former, by the bark of the trunk, which is grey, with large whitish spots. Its trunk, in the choicest parts, furnishes the beautiful wood known as the curled maple.
