This widespread eastern species was originally native to riparian zones, but it became much used on uplands for residential plantings at least a century ago (Gm). Its early flowering, with meiosis in fall (Santamour 1965), and spring seeding allows rapid colonization of bare urban ground. In both saccharinum and rubrum, there is a low tendency to parthenocarpy, and seeds germinate without delay (De Jong 1976). Open dots include colls. with uncertain native versus adventive status, as well as the unverified historical data of Gm and B. A. saccharinum generally appears to be a distinct tetraploid species (2n = 52); but see notes on potential hybrids under drummondii and rubrum. Although saccharinum is potentially useful for making sugar from its sap, there have been disadvantages in habitat (floodplains) and chemistry, compared to saccharum. Its buds break relatively early, in association with a more bitter flavor to the sap; and leaves contain the somewhat toxic indole alkaloid, gramine (Pachter et al. 1959), which is virtually unknown in other species of the genus (or perhaps all Sapindales). Nevertheless, deer and beaver often prefer saccharinum for browsing, especially in the winter (e.g. Barnes & Dibble 1988, Cogger et al. 2014).