Acer cissifolium

taxobox
name = "Acer cissifolium"

---

image_caption = Morton Arboretum acc. 1073-58-1
regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Eudicots
unranked_ordo = Rosids
ordo = Sapindales
familia = Sapindaceae
genus = "Acer"
binomial = "Acer cissifolium"
binomial_authority = Siebold and Zuccarini, 1865|

"Acer cissifolium" (Vine-leafed Maple, Vineleaf Maple, and variations thereof; Japanese: 【学名】 "Mitsudekaede") is a maple native to Japan, from southern Hokkaidō south through Honshū and Shikoku to Kyūshū.Yamaguchi prefecture ecology: [http://eco.pref.yamaguchi.jp/rdb/html/10/100099.html "Acer cissifolium"] (in Japanese; [http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://eco.pref.yamaguchi.jp/rdb/html/10/100099.html&sa=X&oi=translate& google translation] )]

It is a deciduous small tree or large shrub growing to 5–10 m (rarely 15 m) in height, with smooth grey bark. The young shoots are green, often tinged pink, hairy at first with whitish hairs, becoming grey in the second year. The leaves are trifoliate, with a very slender red petiole up to 10 cm long; the three leaflets are 4–10 cm long and 2–4 cm broad, with 1–2 cm petiolules, and coarsely serrated margins. They are matt green above, paler and slightly shiny below, and turn pale yellow to pinkish in autumn. The flowers are produced in pendulous racemes 10–16 cm long, each flower with four sepals and petals; it is dioecious with male and female flowers on separate trees. The fruit is a paired samara, the nutlets are 7 mm long, the wings 15–25 mm long, spreading at an acute angle.van Gelderen, C. J. & van Gelderen, D. M. (1999). "Maples for Gardens: A Color Encyclopedia".] Rushforth, K. (1999). "Trees of Britain and Europe". Collins ISBN 0-00-220013-9.] Mitchell, A. F. (1982). "The Trees of Britain and Northern Europe". Collins ISBN 0-00-219037-0]

Both the scientific and English names refer to the resemblance of its leaves to those of "Cissus", a genus in the vine family.

Cultivation

This maple is common in cultivation although few cultivars are known. A variegated cultivar 'Gotenbanishiki' has been selected in Japan.Ganshukutei Botanic Garden: [http://ganshuku.cool.ne.jp/23_1gotenbanishiki.html "Acer cissifolium" 'Gotenbanishiki'] (in Japanese; [http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://ganshuku.cool.ne.jp/23_1gotenbanishiki.html&sa=X&oi=translate& google translation] )] Female trees are often propagated by layering and sold in the nursery trade.

"A. cissifolium" is similar to its closest relative "A. henryi" (rare in cultivation) and its close relative "A. negundo" (common in cultivation with many cultivars). It may be distinguished from the former by its shoots turning grey in their second year (remaining green for several years in "A. henryi"), and from the latter by its consistently trifoliate leaves, never with the five leaflets common in "A. negundo". Mislabeling occurs between these three species.

References