This is a group of around 150 species of small and large trees with opposite leaves, noted for the shade they produce and also for their excellent autumn color. Some are low and mounded in habit, others are bushy, still others are narrow and columnar and others are wide spreading and round headed. The usually inconspicuous male and female flowers are often on the same tree but not always the fruits are samaras or a small flattened nut with a wing on each side.

The leaves may be simple, lobed or compound, depending on the variety. They are native to North America, Europe and Asia. They are particularly valued as foliage or shade trees and some of the more colorful ones are valued for their colored foliage.

In Latin, the word Acer means sharp and was in reference to the strong wood of the maples which was often used for spears.