'Wrong' Maple Leaf on Canadian Banknotes

[Faline]

Canada's new plastic banknotes feature Norway maple leaves, instead of the Canadian sugar maple leaf, according to botanists.

They argue the leaf shown features more sections and has a more pointed outline than the Canadian version.

The maple leaf is featured on the new C$20 (£13), C$50 and C$100 notes, which were introduced in November.

Bank of Canada officials say the image is a "stylised" leaf, created with the help of a botanist.

"I think it's just an after-the-fact excuse," said Sean Blaney, senior botanist at the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre, who first brought the image to the attention of the broadcaster CBC.

The Norway maple, however, is a popular tree in central and eastern Canada, after being imported from Europe.

"It has naturalised to Canada," Mr Blaney said.

"This could not be confused with a native species of Canada," Julian Starr, a botany professor at the University of Ottawa, told the CBC.

The leaf on Canada's flag is stylised, but in such a way that it still looks like the native species, Mr Starr later told CTV.

In August, the Bank of Canada apologised for removing an image of an "Asian-looking" woman from the design of the new $100 bank note.

The polymer banknotes have also faced criticism for not working in many vending machines.

[johnleeknoefler]

It's an ugly looking note to begin with. A few words can describe it, such as, trashy, pretentious, tacky, and totally lacking artistic balance. It's a mess.

[DannyDrama]

Inb4 tinfoil hats saying it's a conspiracy.

[Drumstickshredder]

It looks more like an explosion than a leaf anyway

[Impotent Rage]

Haha! It's still got the old bag on it.

Isn't there someone in Canadia worth putting on the notes? Bryan Adams maybe?

[kellyhound]

looks like an incoming comet lol

[bob351]

Love our new bills, wouldn't trade em for any other currency.

Originally Posted by DannyDrama

Inb4 tinfoil hats saying it's a conspiracy.

[Oswald2001]

'Some' (wink wink) people would be wise to take a close look...a very close look indeed...at the Maple Syrup Lobby.

That's all I going to say aboot that.

[Insideoutbodies]

haha what do you want there all drunk or high

[chefbob09]

wahts this all aboot now guy?