Scientific Name:
Acer palmatum
'Shishio'
Pronunciation:
AY-sur pal-MAY-tum
Common Name:
Chishio Japanese maple
Family Name:
Sapindaceae
Plant Type:
Tree - deciduous
Key ID Features:
Small, upright tree; leaves opposite, palmate venation with 7 serrate lobes with acuminate tips, orbicular, most 14-17cm wide, turning red (spring) to green (summer) to red (fall); flowers and fruit red. Winter ID: lateral buds opposite, red, curved towards stem, surrounded by hairs, 3-5mm long.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Round
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
2 - 3m
Mature Spread:
2 - 3m
Growth Rate:
Slow
Origin:
Garden origin
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 6: (-23 to -18 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Fall interest, Small garden/space, Spring interest, Woodland margin
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple, Lobed
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Palmate venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Green, Red
Colour in Fall:
Red
Shapes:
Orbicular
Apices:
Acuminate
Bases:
Hastate
Margins:
Pinnately lobed, Serrate
Additional Info:
Spectacular fall colour, most leaves with 7 lobes
Inflorescence Type:
Cyme, Corymb-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Rotate/stellate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Purple, Red
Flower Time at Peak:
Apr
Fruit Type:
Samara, Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Red
Fruiting Time:
Jun, Jul
Additional Info:
Schizocarps split into samara-like mericarps after dispersal
Bark Morphology:
Lightly fissured
Bark or Stem Colour:
Brown
Leaf Bud Type:
Ovoid (Outer scale centered directly over leaf scar)
Leaf Scar Shape:
Crescent shaped
Organ Modifications:
Fibrous-like roots
