Montpellier maple (Acer monspessulanum, Sp. Pl.: 1056 (1753))

Family: Sapindaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1056 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Acer

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & S. Europe, Medit.

Description

The Montpellier maple, scientifically known as Acer monspessulanum, is a distinctive and attractive member of the Sapindaceae family. This deciduous tree is native to Central and Southern Europe as well as the Mediterranean region, where it thrives in the varied climates and landscapes characteristic of these areas.

A smaller maple species compared to its more famous relatives, the Montpellier maple typically reaches heights of 10 to 15 meters, making it well-suited for both natural settings and cultivated landscapes. The tree is noted for its elegant, tri-lobed leaves which offer a pleasing contrast against the greyish bark of its slender branches. These leaves transform into a beautiful spectacle of yellow and orange hues in the autumn months, adding to the tree’s ornamental value.

Montpellier maples are resilient and adaptable, often found in rocky, limestone soils and drought-prone environments, which showcases their hardiness. They play a crucial role in their native habitats, providing food and shelter for various wildlife species. Flowers of the Acer monspessulanum bloom in the spring, forming small, yellowish-green clusters that eventually develop into samaras, the winged seeds typical of maples, which are dispersed by the wind.

The historical significance of the Montpellier maple is underlined by its first classification by the famous botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” published in 1753. This historical context highlights the long-standing interest and study of this species within the botanical community.

In landscaping, the Montpellier maple is valued for its modest size, charming foliage, and overall durability. It can be effectively utilized in urban settings, parks, and gardens, where its aesthetic appeal and tolerance to a range of soil types and conditions make it a favorite among both amateur gardeners and professional landscapers.

In summary, the Montpellier maple (Acer monspessulanum) is a small but significant tree that combines historical botanical interest, ecological value, and ornamental beauty, making it a cherished species across its native range and beyond.

Common Names

Deu: felsen-ahorn, französischer ahorn, montpellier-ahorn
Eng: montpellier maple
Swe: dvärglönn
Ces: javor francouzský
Por: zelha
Nob: montpellierlønn
Nno: montpellierlønn
En: Montpellier maple
Ar: قيقب مونبلييه
Az: Monpeliya ağcaqayını
Eu: Frantses ihar
Bg: Маклен
Ca: Auró negre
Hr: Maklen
Cs: Javor francouzský
Nl: Montpelieresdoorn, Montpellieresdoorn
Et: Prantsuse vaher
Fi: Ranskanvaahtera
Fr: Érable de Montpellier, Azerou, Agas
Gl: Pradairo de Montpellier
De: Burgenahorn, Französischer Ahorn, Felsen-Ahorn, Montpellier-Ahorn, Dreilappiger Ahorn, Französischer Maßholder, Montpellier Ahorn
He: אדר קטן-עלים
Is: Gaulverjahlynur
It: Acero minore, Cestuccio, Acero di Montpellier, Acero picolo, Cestopio
Mk: Кленика
No: Fransklønn
Nb: Montpellierlønn
Nn: Montpellierlønn
Oc: Agar, Agast, Argelabre
Fa: کیکم
Pl: Klon francuski
Pt: Zelha
Ru: Клён трёхлопастный
Sr: Маклен (биљка)
Sk: Javor montpeliérsky
Es: Arce de Montpellier, Mundillo, Acirón, Trokrpi javor, Afre, Arce, Azar, Duron, Sacere, Uro
Sv: Dvärglönn
Vi: Phong Montpellier

Synonyms

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2018 by Juan I Deán (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2019 by Fresno Conrado (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2017 by Antonio Serrano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Killian Stefanini (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Nov 13, 2021 by Alain Komly (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2019 by Nickolay Skobelev (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2021 by Jean-François Baudin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 9, 2020 by ahmed abdennebi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 24, 2021 by Anonimo Sig. Rossi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2022 by salixec (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2019 by Nickolay Skobelev (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 25, 2022 by Aurélie LIS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2020 by Salemme Guido (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2020 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2020 by mark tunkel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 11, 2001 by LUc Brucher (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Mar 27, 2009 by Tela Botanica − virginie pons (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 27, 2009 by Tela Botanica − virginie pons (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2009 by Tela Botanica − John DE VOS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 20, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Denis NESPOULOUS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 22, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 22, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Denis NESPOULOUS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7262958)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:781402-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Acer monspessulanum L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Tree

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘apr’]

Soil nutriments: 5