Japanese maple (Acer japonicum, J.A.Murray, Syst. Veg. ed. 14: 911 (1784))

Family: Sapindaceae

Author: C.P.Thunberg ex A.Murray

Bibliography: J.A.Murray, Syst. Veg. ed. 14: 911 (1784)

Year: 1784

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Acer

Vegetable: False

Observations: Kuril Is. to N. & C. Japan

Description

The Japanese maple, scientifically known as Acer japonicum, is a captivating deciduous tree well-regarded in landscaping and horticulture for its striking autumnal foliage and elegant, dissected leaves. Found natively in regions from the Kuril Islands to northern and central Japan, this species stands out within the Sapindaceae family due to its unique aesthetic appeal and cultural significance.

Originally described in the 14th edition of Systema Vegetabilium by J.A. Murray in 1784, and with botanical authority attributed to C.P. Thunberg and A. Murray, the Japanese maple has since been admired for its ornamental value. It typically grows in a graceful, rounded form, with gnarled branches that give the tree an artistic silhouette. The leaves are palmate and deeply lobed, often turning brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow in the autumn, creating vibrant displays that enhance any garden landscape.

In addition to its visual allure, the Japanese maple is cherished in traditional Japanese gardens and often features in bonsai art due to its manageable size and the beauty of its foliage. The tree thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soils, and prefers a position with partial shade to mimic its natural habitat under the forest canopy. While generally easy to care for, the Japanese maple can be susceptible to pests and diseases if not properly maintained, necessitating careful attention to its growing conditions.

The Japanese maple’s combination of aesthetic beauty, cultural significance, and relatively easy maintenance makes it a favored choice for gardeners and plant enthusiasts around the world.

Common Names

Eng: amur maple, japanese maple, downy japanese maple, full-moon maple, downy japanese-maple
Deu: japanischer ahorn
Swe: solfjäderslönn
Fra: érable du japon
Nno: japanlønn
Nob: japanlønn
Jpn: ハウチワカエデ (hauchiwakaede)
Zho: 羽扇枫 (yu shan feng)
En: Japanese maple, Full-moon maple, Downy Japanese maple, Amur maple, Fullmoon Maple, Downy Japanese-maple
Ar: قيقب نيبوني
Hy: Թխկի ճապոնական
Az: Yapon ağcaqayını
Bg: Японски явор
Ca: Auró japonès
Zh: 羽扇槭, 羽扇枫 (Yu Shan Feng)
Cs: Javor japonský
Nl: Japanse Esdoorn
Fi: Hokkaidonvaahtera
Fr: Érable du Japon
De: Japanischer Ahorn
Hu: Vörösvirágú juhar
Is: Sólhlynur
It: Acero maggiore del Giappone
Ja: Hauchiwa-kaede, Meigetsu-kaede, ハウチワカエデ (Hauchiwakaede)
Lv: Japānas kļava
No: Japanlønn
Nb: Japanlønn
Nn: Japanlønn
Fa: ایسر جاپنیکام
Pl: Klon japoński
Ru: Клён японский
Sr: Јапански јавор
Es: Arce japonés, Arce afelpado Japonés
Sv: Solfjäderslönn
Zh-tw: 羽扇槭
Zh-hant: 羽扇槭
Uk: Клен японський

Synonyms

• Acer japonicum f. macrophyllum (Schwer.)
• Acer japonicum f. parsonsii (Schwer.)
• Acer circumlobatum f. insulare ((Pax) Schwer.)
• Acer circumlobatum var. insulare (Pax)
• Acer japonicum var. stenolobum (H.Hara)
• Acer circumlobatum var. heyhachii ((Matsum. ex Makino) Makino)
• Acer heyhachii (Matsum. ex Makino)
• Acer japonicum f. villosum ((Koidz.) H.Hara)
• Acer kobakoense (Nakai)
• Acer japonicum var. macrophyllum ((Schwer.) Honda)
• Acer japonicum var. vitifolium (Veitch ex R.Hogg)
• Acer japonicum var. villosum (Koidz.)
• Acer monocarpon (Nakai)
• Acer japonicum var. kobakoense ((Nakai) H.Hara)
• Acer japonicum var. circumlobatum ((Maxim.) Koidz.)
• Acer japonicum var. insulare ((Pax) Ohwi)
• Acer japonicum var. aconitifolium (Meehan)
• Acer circumlobatum (Maxim.)
• Acer japonicum f. microphyllum (Rehder)
• Acer japonicum f. aconitifolium ((Meehan) Rehder)

Distribution

• Japan (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken May 31, 2020 by Clarisse Renou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2021 by Boumlik Messaïli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2020 by Gertraud Hart (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2022 by Acosta García Isabel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2019 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Minstrel atHome (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2019 by Stephan Rackwitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 7, 2022 by Alessandra Vannucchi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2019 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2021 by 弘子 西舘 (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Nov 26, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 19, 2021 by Nidal Zribi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Minstrel atHome (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 7, 2022 by Alessandra Vannucchi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 11, 2020 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 26, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2020 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2021 by smcbeal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 7, 2022 by Alessandra Vannucchi (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Mar 31, 2019 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 31, 2019 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2006 by EOL − Michael Kesl (public)

Taken Mar 31, 2019 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 18, 2022 by Thibault Saint-Eugène (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 18, 2022 by Thibault Saint-Eugène (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2022 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2022 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3767816)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:781349-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Acer japonicum Thunb.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Tree

Growth