Acer argutum Maxim.

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Credits

Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles

Recommended citation
'Acer argutum' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/acer/acer-argutum/). Accessed 2024-04-19.

Genus

Acer

Other taxa in genus

Glossary

androdioecious: With only male or only hermaphrodite flowers on individual plants.
inflorescence: Flower-bearing part of a plant; arrangement of flowers on the floral axis.
ovate: Egg-shaped; broadest towards the stem.

References

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Credits

Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles

Recommended citation
'Acer argutum' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/acer/acer-argutum/). Accessed 2024-04-19.

Acer argutum, Lake Chosenji, Nikko, Japan (10 October 2008). Image Philippe de Spoelberch.

A small, deciduous, dioecious tree, with erect branches; young branchlets covered with a fine down. Leaves 2 to 4 in. long, as much wide, five-lobed, produced on long, slender stalks, the lobes ovate, long-pointed, with margins prettily double-toothed; lower surface downy, especially on the whitish veins. Male flowers borne in clusters of racemes, before the leaves; female flowers on racemes borne singly in the axils of leafy shoots; they are greenish yellow and the racemes downy. Fruits on slender stalks to about 3⁄4 in. long, 1⁄4 in. wide, spreading horizontally.

Native of the mountain woods of Japan; introduced to England in 1881, for Messrs Veitch, by Maries. It is a maple of elegant appearance, with pale green leaves as prettily lobed and toothed as those of A. palmatum. The stalk of the inflorescence and that of the individual flower lengthens considerably as the fruits develop. The branches acquire a purplish-brown shade in winter. It grows best in a cool, moist situation, shielded from strong sun, which scorches the leaf-margins. There is a good example of this maple, about 30 ft high, at the Winkworth Arboretum, Godalming, Surrey.

Acer argutum, label ID 872, Arboretum Robert Lenoir (20 August 2019). This tree is the Belgian champion. Image Philippe de Spoelberch.

Acer argutum, label ID 872, Arboretum Robert Lenoir (21 October 2012). Same tree with spontaneous seedlings of Acer argutum (A male tree is nearby) and Acer davidii. Image Charles Snyers.

Acer argutum, label ID 921, Arboretum Robert Lenoir (April 2009), nearby male tree. Image Charles Snyers.

Acer argutum, Lake Chosenji, Nikko, Japan (10 October 2008). Image Philippe de Spoelberch.

Acer argutum, label ID 921, Arboretum Robert Lenoir (April 2009), male flowers, leaves doubly serrate. Image Charles Snyers.

Acer argutum, label ID 921, Arboretum Robert Lenoir (April 2009), male flowers. Image Charles Snyers.

Acer argutum, label ID 3551, Arboretum Robert Lenoir (Avril 2011), samaras appearing on a young tree. Image Charles Snyers.

Acer argutum, spontaneous seedling, Autumn colours, Arboretum Robert Lenoir (October 2012).

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