Tartar maple (Acer tataricum, Sp. Pl.: 1054 (1753))

Family: Sapindaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1054 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Acer

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: EC. Europe to Japan and N. Iran

Description

The Tartar maple, scientifically named Acer tataricum, is a distinctive and versatile species within the Sapindaceae family. First documented by renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” published in 1753, this plant has since captivated botanists and enthusiasts alike with its unique characteristics and adaptability.

Originating from a broad geographic range, the Tartar maple can be found stretching from Eastern and Central Europe to Japan and northern Iran. This wide distribution is a testament to its resilience and ability to thrive in various climates and soil types.

The Tartar maple is a deciduous tree known for its attractive foliage, which undergoes a striking transformation throughout the seasons. In spring, the tree blossoms with clusters of small, white to greenish-yellow flowers, which are not only aesthetically pleasing but also attract a variety of pollinators. As the seasons progress, the leaves turn from a vibrant green in the summer to a mix of brilliant yellows, oranges, and reds in the autumn, creating a spectacular display of color.

Beyond its visual appeal, the Tartar maple plays a vital role in its native ecosystems. It provides habitat and food for numerous species of birds and insects. The winged seeds, or samaras, are dispersed by the wind, ensuring the propagation of future generations and the spread of the species across its natural range.

In addition to its ecological significance, the Tartar maple is valued for its ornamental use in landscapes and gardens. Its manageable size, typically reaching heights of 10 to 15 meters, and its adaptability to different soil conditions make it an excellent choice for urban and suburban settings. It is also relatively resistant to pests and diseases, further enhancing its desirability as a low-maintenance yet striking addition to any green space.

Overall, Acer tataricum stands out not only for its beauty and ecological importance but also for its historical and botanical significance. Its enduring presence across a vast expanse of territories underscores its robustness and the integral role it plays in the natural world.

Common Names

Dan: russisk løn
Eng: tartar maple, tatarian maple, tartarian maple, tatar maple
Deu: tataren-ahorn
Lav: tatärijas klava
Lit: totorinis klevas
Swe: rysk lönn, tatarlönn
Est: tatari vaher
Nld: tataarse esdoorn
En: Tartar maple, Tatarian maple, Tartary maple, Tartarian Maple, Tatar Maple
Ar: قيقب تتري
Hy: Թխկի թաթարական
Az: Tatar ağcaqayını
Be: Чарнаклён
Bg: Мекиш
Hr: Javor žestilj
Cs: Javor tatarský
Da: Russisk Løn
Nl: Tataarse esdoorn, Tartaarse Esdoorn
Et: Tatari vaher
Fi: Tataarivaahtera, Pikkuvaahtera
Fr: Érable de tartaric, Érable de Tartarie
De: Tatarischer Ahorn, Tatarischer Steppen-Ahorn, Tataren-Ahorn
Hu: Tatár juhar
Is: Berghlynur
It: Acero tatarico
Lv: Tatärijas klava
Lt: Totorinis klevas
No: Tatarlønn
Fa: افرای تاتار
Pl: Klon tatarski
Ro: Arțar tătăresc
Ru: Клён татарский
Sr: Жешља
Sk: Javor tatársky
Es: Arce de Tataria
Sv: Rysk lönn, Tatarlönn
Tt: Татар өрәңгесе
Tr: Tatar akçaağacı
Uk: Клен татарський

Synonyms

• Euacer tataricum ((L.) Opiz)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• West Siberia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken May 29, 2013 by roman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2021 by Pietro Brignoli (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 31, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2022 by Conn Inihes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 29, 2022 by Marie-lorraine Quemeneur (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hervé Goëau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2021 by Josef Gaber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2021 by Pietro Brignoli (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 20, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2020 by Kerstin Kerstin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 13, 2021 by Andrea Faley (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Feb 1, 2020 by Jiří Vilím (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2019 by Николай (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2020 by Marianne Geiger (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 20, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2022 by Werner Rom (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2022 by janst keefer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 11, 2021 by Christophe Baillout (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2022 by Carole Tisserand (cc-by-sa)

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

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

© 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/3189843)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:781526-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Acer tataricum L.)

Specifications

Growth