Acer davidii

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iPère David's Maple
A. davidii subsp. grosseri
A. davidii subsp. grosseri
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Sapindales
Family: Aceraceae
Genus: Acer
Binomial name
Acer davidii

Acer davidii, or Père David's Maple, is a maple in the same taxonomic section as other snakebark maples such as Moosewood (A. pennsylvanicum) and Kyushu Maple (A. capillipes). It is native to many regions of China.[1]

There are two recognized subspecies: A. davidii subsp. davidii and A. davidii subsp. grosseri (Grosser's Maple), the later of which is sometimes still categorized as A. grosseri.[2]

Contents

[edit] Characteristics

The various species of snakebark maples are easily distinguished from other maples by bark patterned with vertical green stripes alternating with stripes of light gray or white, sometimes with a blueish tone.[2]


[edit] Subspecies davidii

Subspecies davidii is a multi-stemmed, sparsely branched tree that grows to a height of about 10 m (33 feet) or more. Leaves are 7-15 cm long and 3-6 cm wide, dark green in color, and oval to oblong in shape. Juvenile leaves may be larger.[2]

It flowers in long corymbs that are light yellow in color. Male and female flowers are typically produced on different branches. Samaras are numerous and are about 3 cm long with flattened nutlets.[2]

[edit] Subspecies grosseri

Subspecies grosseri is similar but is more densely branched and shrubby. It grows larger, up to about 12 m (40 feet) or more. Leaves are 7-19 cm wide, almost triangular with doubly serrate edges. Leaves are glabrous or even pubescent in the case of juvenile leaves.[2]

Its pendulous racemes are yellow in color and produce samaras that are about 2 cm long with small nutlets.[2]

[edit] Cultivation

Along with A. rufinerve, the two subspecies of Père David's Maple are among the most commonly cultivated snakebark maples. Both are relatively hardy and fast-growing.[2]

Among the cultivars of A. davidii are 'Canton' (a Dutch variety with a purplish hue to its green stripes), 'George Forest' (a Scottish variety with a purplish color on young shoots), 'Ernest Wilson' (a specimen of which may be viewed in the Westonbirt Arboretum in England), and 'Serpentine' (a distinctively small variety).[2]

Note that in most cases, these varieties can neither be assigned to one subspecies nor the other but are simply considered cultivars of A. davidii.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Maples for Gardens: A Color Encyclopedia by C.J. van Gelderen & D.M. van Gelderen, 1999
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h
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