// SPECIES PROFILE · TREE · NATIVE

Box elder

Acer negundo var. violaceum

Box elder (Acer negundo var. violaceum) is a tree in the — family. Native range includes AR, KS, MO, OK. Hardy in zones 2a–9a. Mature size 20'–50'. Blooms Mar–Apr.

// QUICK FACTS

Family: —
Group: tree
Native range: Native to 49 U.S. states, including AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT…
USDA hardiness: Zones 2a–9a
Mature size: 20'–50'
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Bloom: Mar–Apr
Wildlife value: Pollinator and wildlife support
Ecological role: native species profile

Box elder (Acer negundo var. violaceum) — *Acer negundo var. violaceum* — Box elder. Photo via iNaturalist — (c) Jay Pruett, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jay Pruett.

Field Notes

[ growing · ecology · siting · care ]

Box elder (Acer negundo var. violaceum) is a tree in the — family. Native range includes AR, KS, MO, OK. Hardy in zones 2a–9a. Mature size 20'–50'. Blooms Mar–Apr.

Why it's on this list: native species profile. Native-range data from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (NPIN), cross-checked against iNaturalist observations. Part of Rooted Revival's regional native plant catalog — true natives for Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.

Companion Planting

[ guild · polyculture · cross-layer pairings ]

In the same native range, box elder pairs naturally with: Box elder (Acer negundo), Boxelder (Acer negundo var. interius), Boxelder (Acer negundo var. negundo), Broadleaf Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia).