L’acero opalo (Acer opalus), also known as obtuse or Neapolitan maple, is one of the five types of maple trees we can find in the forests of these mountainous areas. It differs from the other species by its palmate leaves with five obtuse lobes and downy undersides. This tree produces samaras, which are peculiar leathery dry fruits with a wing membrane that enables the wind to carry the seeds. The Italian word for "maple" derives from the Latin adjective "acer(which means pointed, sharp), probably due to the sharp shape of the leaf lobes of some types of maple trees or to the fact that the wood of some of them was used in spear manufacture. The word "opal" has uncertain origins and could refer to the opal, a very colourful mineral, associated with the stunning red-orange colour of the leaves in autumn. Its wood, with light pinkish tones, is considered valuable and is used for carpentry and violin making.