A shrubby maple with brilliant autumn leaf color, this is a low to middle elevation species. It often grows in open habitat on steep slopes, including rock slides. Here the samaras hang at eye level near the trail at Box Canyon.

The red color of the small flowers is derived from the sepals; the petals are white. It often grows in open habitat on steep slopes, including rock slides.

Here a tall shrub glows with the color of autumn leaves near the parking lot at Longmire.