This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Acer palmatum
  • Japanese Maple

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Acer genus in the family Aceraceae.

248px
Niche
  • Secondary canopy
    Secondary canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • very acid,acid,neutral,alkaline
    Very acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Acer palmatum has 0 edible uses listed
Acer palmatum has 0 material uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

The sap contains a certain amount of sugar and can either be used as a drink, or can be concentrated into a syrup by boiling off the water[1][2][3]. The syrup is used as a sweetener on many foods. The concentration of sugar is considerably lower than in the sugar maples (A. saccharum). The tree trunk is tapped in the early spring, the sap flowing better on warm sunny days following a frost. The best sap production comes from cold-winter areas with continental climates. Leaves - cooked[1][2][4]. We have eaten nicer leaves[K].

Leaves

Unknown use

Sap

Unknown use

Material uses

The leaves are packed around apples, rootcrops etc to help preserve them[5][6].

Unknown part

Preservative

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Acer palmatum.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Secondary canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, it usually germinates in the following spring. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours and then stratify for 2 - 4 months at 1 - 8°c. It can be slow to germinate. The seed can be harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it has dried and produced any germination inhibitors) and sown immediately. It should germinate in late winter. If the seed is harvested too soon it will produce very weak plants or no plants at all[7][8]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until they are 20cm or more tall before planting them out in their permanent positions.

Layering, which takes about 12 months, is successful with most species in this genus.

Cuttings of young shoots in June or July. The cuttings should have 2 - 3 pairs of leaves, plus one pair of buds at the base. Remove a very thin slice of bark at the base of the cutting, rooting is improved if a rooting hormone is used. The rooted cuttings must show new growth during the summer before being potted up otherwise they are unlikely to survive the winter. Only strong-growing cultivars succeed from cuttings, plants of the dissected or variegated cultivars will rarely grow into good plants.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Acer palmatum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Of easy cultivation, it succeeds in most soils preferring a good moist well-drained soil on the acid side and partial shade[9][10]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Chlorosis can sometimes develop as a result of iron deficiency when the plants are grown in alkaline soils, but in general maples are not fussy as to soil pH. Requires some shelter in the cooler areas of Britain and protection from cold drying winds[11].

Plants are hardy to about -25°c[12], but spring growth is subject to damage by late frosts[9]. A very ornamental tree[11], it is a polymorphic species[11] and there are many named varieties[9][10]. Grows well with rhododendrons.

Most maples are bad companion plants, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants[5][6].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Acer palmatum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Acer palmatum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Acer palmatum
Genus
Acer
Family
Aceraceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4]
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
[5][6]
Botanic
[9][13][14]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Secondary canopy
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    8 x 6 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    monoecious

    "image:Acer palmatum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Acer palmatum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Acer palmatum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Acer palmatum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Acer palmatum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Acer palmatum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Acer palmatum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Acer palmatum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Acer palmatum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Acer palmatum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Acer palmatum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Acer palmatum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Acer palmatum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Acer palmatum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Acer palmatum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Acer palmatum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Acer palmatum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (1979-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
    7. ? McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (1985-00-00)
    8. ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    12. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
    13. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)
    14. ? Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

    "image:Acer palmatum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Acer_palmatum&oldid=74657"
    Facts about "Acer palmatum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyAceraceae +
    Belongs to genusAcer +
    Has binomial nameAcer palmatum +
    Has common nameJapanese Maple +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves + and Sap +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageAcer palmatum0.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material usePreservative +
    Has mature height8 +
    Has mature width6 +
    Has primary imageAcer palmatum0.jpg +
    Has search nameacer palmatum + and japanese maple +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid +, Acid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameAcer palmatum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSecondary canopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Acer palmatum +, Acer palmatum + and Acer palmatum +