The bigtooth maple is no longer in its own family of Aceraceae, but is in Sapindaceae. Molecular taxonomy keeps us plant geeks on our toes.
Across the southwest Acer grandidentatum ranges from 4,000 to 7,000 ft. in elevation. I love the lower elevation maples you find in the canyons that wander down the mountains. Cave Creek Canyon in the Chiricahuas has bigtooth maples and I remember many years ago admiring them in Ramsey Canyon of the Huachuca Mountains. I’m guessing you have a favorite canyon or mountain side to find them as well.
The photo of the maple in its fall glory is by Max Licher and taken from SEINet. Thank you. And below is my photo of scarlet sumac on the rocky slope mentioned in this episode.
Petey likes his local farmers market so much he sings about it. Let’s listen. Farmers markets are fantastic. They bring people and food together...
Petey talks about brown headed cowbirds and their parasitic and intrusive ways.
The genus Allium has had quite a taxonomic journey and is at this time (stay tuned!) in the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae, where it had...