The Aceraceae is a temperate zone family of shrubs and trees with opposite, palmately lobed or trifoliolate leaves. The flowers are not showy, generally greenish, and in small clusters. There are 4-5 sepals, 4-5 petals, 4-10 stamens inserted outside of a lobed disc, and a 2-carpellary, superior ovary. The ovary matures into a schizocarp with 2 divergent wings (a double samara).