The family primarily consists of two genera: Acer (the maples), which contains roughly 128–129 species , and Dipteronia , which contains only two.

While historically recognized as a distinct family, modern genetic research has led taxonomists to reclassify these plants into the (Soapberry) family. Key Characteristics

Most species feature palmate (hand-shaped) leaves that are famous for their vibrant autumn colors, ranging from bright reds and oranges to yellows.