Acer leucoderme Small. Common name: Chalk Maple. Phenology: Mar-Apr; May-Sep. Habitat: Rocky slopes and bluffs, particularly over mafic or calcareous rock, on the Gulf Coast in floodplains. Distribution: A species of se. North America, primarily of the Piedmont from NC to AL, less commonly in the Ridge and Valley of se. TN (Chester, Wofford, & Kral 1997), low Blue Ridge of w. NC and adjacent TN and GA, Coastal Plain of Panhandle FL, GA, AL, MS, LA, and se. TX, and in sw. AR and se. OK.

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Taxonomy Comments: Near its type locality in the sc. Piedmont of NC, Acer leucoderme is a multitrunked understory tree (regardless of fire regime). In the Gulf Coast it can be a medium to large canopy tree, very similar to Acer floridanum other than technical characters of leaf underside.

Other Comments: The leaves, at least those on lower and inner branches, are marcescent, tending to dry a tawny color and remain on the tree until spring, reminiscent of beech.

Synonymy ⓘ: = FNA13, K4, NS, POWO, S13, W; = Acer saccharum Marshall ssp. leucoderme (Small) Desmarais — Fl4, RAB, WH3, Desmarais (1952), Murray (1970); = Acer saccharum Marshall var. leucoderme (Small) Sarg. — Ar; = Saccharodendron leucoderme (Small) Nieuwl. — S. Basionym: Acer leucoderme Small 1895 "Urbasionym:" Acer floridanum (Chapm.) Pax var. acuminatum Trel. 1894

Links to other floras: = Acer leucoderme - FNA13

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Heliophily ⓘ: 5