Acer griseum
Object Details
- Description
- Brought from China to England in 1899 by E. H. Wilson, the most striking characteristic of this tree is its bark. The cinnamon colored bark of Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple) peels off in large curls which remain on the tree, and provide good winter interest, but may stain slightly when touched. The Paperbark Maple’s trifoliate leaves are also notable for their fall color. While typically dark green with 3-5 large teeth per a side and slightly greyish below (where the tree gains the griseum half of its name from), this tree’s fall foliage can range from bright oranges and reds to more muted bronze and green tones. It has yellow, pendulous flowers in the spring which turn into winged samsaras with large seeds. Paperbark Maples can grow to 30 feet tall.
- Hardiness
- -30 - 20 F
- Bloom Time
- April
- Provenance
- Uncertain
- Range
- Central China
- Habitat
- Mixed temperate forests; 1500-2000 meters
- Topic
- Trees
- Living Collections
- See more items in
- Smithsonian Gardens Tree Collection
- On Display
- Ripley Gardens
- Data Source
- Smithsonian Gardens
- Accession Number
- 2011-0413A
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Common Name
- Paperbark Maple
- Chinese Paperbark Maple
- Group
- [vascular plants]
- Class
- Equisetopsida
- Subclass
- Magnoliidae
- Superorder
- Rosanae
- Order
- Sapindales
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Genus
- Acer
- Species
- griseum
- Life Form
- Deciduous tree
- Bark Characteristics
- Cinnamon-brown and exfoliating
- Fall Color
- Red, yellow, orange, bronze, green
- Foliage Characteristics
- Opposite, trifoliate leaves 3" to 5" long, with 3-5 large teeth per side. Green on top, greyish white on underside.
- Structure
- Oval, upright or irregular
- Record ID
- ofeo-sg_2011-0413A
