Unusual in Britain and Ireland where an occasional specimen in parks and large gardens, but more common in mainland Europe. Introduced 1739.

Native to central and southern Europe, including France, Germany, Spain and Portugal. Also to Algeria and Morocco in North Africa, and eastwards to Iran and Iraq.

Monoecious, hermaphrodite flowers. Insect-pollinated. Seeds dispersed by gravity.

Small (15m), with a densely branched dome. Bark dark grey-brown. Autumn foliage is boldly orange. Leaves small (5cm), dark green, shiny and flimsy, usually three-lobed (like a bird footprint), downy then glabrous, untoothed. Flowers yellow in pretty drooping heads before the leaves. Samara wings converge in a sharp V. Field Maple differs: toothed margins, 180-degree wing angle.