Maple Poms (c) by Kirk Jordan
All pics, about March 10 - 2007, Central Arkansas
I am not sure if you call a flower without apparent petals a "bloom" -- but as most trees produce some kind of seed (or fruit) they most likely produce some kind of flower.
To be honest, I am not sure if the maple-tree flower is always petal-less, or if they just loose their petals quick, but these seem to be all just bundles of stamen.
As is, there are two varieties of maple-flower shown here; pics two, three and five are from what I call a "Rocky Mountain Maple, while the bold red blooms in frames One and Four belong to a Sugar Maple. In a few short weeks, both Maple variety should be busting out in seed. I'll have to look close, but I think the clusters of whirly-bird seeds will sprout out of the stamen-stuffed flower cups.
The Mighty Works Project exists to bring you bouquets in disguise.
