Acer davidii
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 A. davidii subsp. grosseri
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| 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.[1]
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[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.[1]
[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.[1]
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.[1]
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[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.[1]
Its pendulous racemes are yellow in color and produce samaras that are about 2 cm long with small nutlets.[1]
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[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.[1]
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).[1]
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
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Maples for Gardens: A Color Encyclopedia by C.J. van Gelderen & D.M. van Gelderen, 1999
