Maple, Japanese | Maud Gordon Holmes Arboretum

A group of Japanese maples surrounds the plaque detailing the Arboretum's dedication to Maud Gordon Holmes.

The thin, curling leaves of a Japanese maple displaying hues of green, red, and deep purple.

As fall proceeds, the leaves of a Japanese maple become dry and curled.

Scientific name: Acer palmatum

Common name: Japanese Maple

Native: No

Native range: It is native to China, Korea, and Japan [2,4].

Distribution in North America: Click to view the USDA Plants Database page for A. palmatum.

USDA Zones: 5B-8 [1]

Maximum age: Unclear, however its lifespan is likely similar to that of other maples, which live for upwards of 100 years [5].

Ecology: It is unclear how North American wildlife use the Japanese maple, however it is listed by one source as "not attracting wildlife" [1], and North American fauna prefer native maples over non-natives.

Ethnobotany: Its long-lobed leaves, which range from green to eggplant to blood-crimson, make it an attractive ornamental species and a common fixture in plantings and bonsai [1,2,4]. Members of the Acer genus contain anti-inflammatory compounds that may be useful in the treatment of cancers and chronic pain [3].