Acers are usually grown for their colourful leaves or graceful habit. Acer negundo Violaceumis is something of a rarity as it produces showy flowers in the form of catkins in early spring.
This Acer originates from the Mid West of the USA where historically the wood has been used by Native American tribes in their cultural rituals.The Cheyenne tribe for example burn the wood as incense for making spiritual medicines and for use in their Sun Dance ceremonies.They also boil the Acer sap and eat it as a sweet treat.