Emerging leaves and an inflorescence. Among abundant staminate flowers, there are a few inconspicuous pistillate ones, whose long stigmas are yet to be expanded (one flower at upper right, two more at lower left). Sugar maple is monoecious: flowers of both sexes occur in each tree and are typically present in the same inflorescence, though flowering at different times. In some trees, as in this one, male (staminate) flowers mature first; in others the first are female (pistillate) ones. This adaptation ensures cross-pollination and prevents self-pollination. Photo 2 of 7