Acer laevigatum

Acer laevigatum, the smooth maple or Nepal maple, is an atypical species of maple native to southern China (Guizhou, Hong Kong, Hubei, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan), northern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim), northern Myanmar, Nepal, and northern Vietnam. It grows at moderate altitudes of 1,000-2,000 m, with a wet monsoon climate.[2][3]

Acer laevigatum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Sapindaceae
Genus: Acer
Section: Acer sect. Palmata
Series: Acer ser. Penninervia
Species:
A. laevigatum
Binomial name
Acer laevigatum
Wall. 1830 not G. Nicholson 1881

Acer laevigatum is an evergreen tree growing to a height of 10–15 m or more, with a trunk up to 50 cm diameter. The leaves are smooth, unlobed, leathery, olive-green, and about 6–15 cm long and 3–5 cm wide, with a short 1-1.5 cm petiole. The leaves are normally persistent, and only drop in winter in unusually severe frost.[3]

The samaras are 4–7 cm long and have a purplish tone.

There are two varieties, which may not be fully distinct:[2]

  • Acer laevigatum var. laevigatum Most of the species' range. Leaves glabrous (hairless).
  • Acer laevigatum var. salweenense (W.W.Smith) J.M.Cowan ex W.P.Fang - Yunnan. Leaves pubescent (downy).

Cultivation

This tree is only rarely seen in maple collections as it is too tender for many locations, with successful cultivation north to Ireland in Europe, and southwest British Columbia in North America.[3][4][5] One in Cornwall is 17 m tall (Tree Register of the British Isles).

References
  1. Crowley, D.; Barstow, M. & Rivers, M.C. (2018). "Acer laevigatum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T194699A2358843. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  2. Xu, T.-z., Chen, Y., de Jong, P. C., & Oterdoom, H. J. Flora of China: Aceraceae (draft) Archived September 25, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  3. van Gelderen, C.J. & van Gelderen, D.M. (1999). Maples for Gardens: A Color Encyclopedia.
  4. Bean, W. J. (1970). Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles, 8th ed.
  5. Rushforth, K. D. (1999). Trees of Britain and Europe. ISBN 0-00-220013-9.

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