Standard English Name(s): bigleaf or Oregon maple
Local English Name(s): maple
Scientific Name(s): Acer macrophyllum Pursh
Upriver Halkomelem Name(s):
Downriver Halkomelem Name(s):
Island Halkomelem Name(s): q'umun'ulhp ~ q'umul'ulhp

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Description, Habitat, Ecology, & Distribution:
     This species has the largest leaves of any maple, hence the common name (and the scientific specific epithet macrophyllum, which means big leaf). It is a large, often multi-stemmed, deciduous tree, which may reach a height of 35 m (115 ft). The greenish-yellow flowers, which are borne in large, hanging clusters, mature to produce winged fruits (samaras) that are disseminated by wind. This tree occurs on dry to moist sites, at low to middle elevations from southwestern British Columbia to southern California. It occurs throughout the Halkomelem territory.

Upriver Halkomelem Cultural Role(s):
     The wood was used for making canoe paddles, dishes, and fish clubs.

Downriver Halkomelem Cultural Role(s):
Island Halkomelem Cultural Role(s):
     Bigleaf maple wood has been used for paddles, bowls, spoons, utensils, for carving and to smoke fish. The "sap" (cambium), removed from the layer between the bark and the wood, is a traditional food. The winged fruits, which fly through the air like a whirlybird, were used as a lure for fishing lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) and "red snapper" (or yelloweye rockfish, Sebastes ruberrimus). The large leaves were used as an undermat for drying some edible fruits and roots.