Japanese Maple | Acer palmatum Hieu Vo –Fall 2010 –ENH 101 –Prof. Jim Harding Classification Family Sapindaceae (Soapberry Family) Genus Acer Species Acer palmatum * Maples fall under Sapindaceae or Aceraceae* ‘Acer’ = Maple ‘Palmatum’ = Palm‐like Common Name Japanese Maple Smooth Japanese Maple Family ‐ Sapindaceae • The “soapberry” family – Occurs in temperate to tropical regions – Ranges from tree, shrubs to herbaceous vine – Many contain saponins (soap‐like mildly toxic) – Many contains lactiferous (milky sap) • Notable – Fruits: Longan, lychee, rambutan – Products: soapberries and maple syrup Origin & Cultivars • Japan • Korea • China SOO MANY! Appearance ‐ Leaf ‐ Deciduous habit ‐ Opposite, 2‐5” leaves ‐ Simple leaf w/ 5‐9 lobes ‐ Summer = green ‐ Winter = yellow, red, to bronze, purple Appearance ‐ Form • Small tree or shrub • Height: 15‐25’ • Width: 10‐25’ • Dense rounded top • Spreading branches • Has a layered look Appearance ‐ Bark • Generally smooth, shinny with green, red, and gray barks Appearance –Flowers & Fruit • Flowers – Small cymes – 5 red or purple sepals – 5 whitish petals • Fruits – Winged samaras Requirement ‐ Element • Sun – Full sun to partial shade – Shade tolerant • Wind – Avoid dry wind (winter) • Water – Moderate to regular • Earth – Well drained soil – Mildly acidic to neutral Liabilities • Lacks winter hardiness – Prefers zone 5‐9 • Spring frost damage • Anthracnose fungi – Rarely cause death • Boron (Davis!) • Pests – Aphids, scale, Japanese beetles, and borers Assets • Relatively pest free! • Maintenance free! • Evasive & compact roots! Landscape Uses • Rock gardens • Specimen plant – Many cultivars • Borders or ornamental – Non invasive roots *Careful about overuse of colors* End.