| Acer × zoeschense | |
|---|---|
| Acer × zoeschense | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Sapindaceae |
| Genus: | Acer |
| Species: | A. × zoeschense |
| Binomial name | |
| Acer × zoeschense Pax |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
A. neglectum Lange (non Hoffmannsegg) |
|
Acer × zoeschense (Zoeschen Maple) is a hybrid maple, a cross between Acer campestre (Field Maple), and either Acer lobelii (Lobel's Maple)[1][2] or Acer cappadocicum (Cappadocian Maple).[3][4] While Field Maple parentage is universally accepted, the second parent is uncertain, though the tree's extensive production of root sprouts favours A. cappadocicum over A. lobelii.[3] It takes its name from Zöschen Nurseries in Germany, where it first appeared as a garden hybrid (as opposed to a hybrid occurring in nature) at some time before 1870.[1][4]
A. × zoeschense is a medium-sized tree growing up to 20 m (66 feet) tall, and almost as wide. The shiny, five-lobed leaves are 10–11 cm long and up to 14 cm broad, dark green, often with purplish edges. The petioles produce a milky latex when broken. The flowers are produced in open corymbs 5–10 cm diameter, each flower small, pale yellow-green, with five sepals but no petals. The fruit is a paired samara 5 cm across; the two seeds are usually sterile.[1][4]
One cultivar, A. zoeschense 'Annae', was popular as a street tree in previous generations. In the United Kingdom, a mature and magnificent example of 'Annae' can be viewed in Westonbirt Arboretum. The Japanese cultivar, 'Kinka', has variegated foliage.[4]