Fullmoon Maple
Acer japonicum
The Fullmoon Maple (Acer japonicum) is a stunning deciduous tree closely related to the Japanese Maple but distinguished by its broader, more rounded leaves with 9 to 11 lobes and its spectacular, multi-layered autumn display that can feature scarlet, orange, gold, and purple all on a single tree simultaneously. Native to the mountains of Japan, it is a slow-growing, refined species prized by collectors and landscape designers.
• Typically reaches 5 to 10 meters tall with a spreading, layered habit
• Leaves are larger and more round than Japanese Maple, with 9 to 11 lobes
• Among the most spectacular fall-coloring trees in the world
• Hardy and reliable in cultivation, though less commonly grown than Acer palmatum
• The species name "japonicum" means "of Japan"
분류학
• Found on the islands of Hokkaido, Honshu, and Shikoku
• Grows at elevations of 300 to 1,800 meters in cool, moist mountain forests
• Occurs as an understory and subcanopy tree in mixed deciduous-coniferous forests
• Often found growing alongside Acer palmatum, beech, birch, and various conifers
• Described by the Swedish botanist Carl Peter Thunberg in 1784
• Introduced to Western cultivation in the 1860s
• Less common in cultivation than its cousin Acer palmatum, but highly valued by maple enthusiasts
Bark:
• Smooth, grayish-green to gray-brown on young trees
• Developing subtle ridges and plate-like scales with age
Leaves:
• Opposite, palmately lobed with 9 to 11 (sometimes 13) lobes, 8 to 15 cm wide
• Nearly circular (orbicular) in outline — the "full moon" shape that gives the species its common name
• Dark green above, slightly paler and softly hairy beneath
• Fall color is legendary: scarlet, crimson, orange, gold, and purple often appearing simultaneously
• Leaves are larger and rounder than those of Acer palmatum
Fruit:
• Paired samaras in drooping clusters, 2 to 3 cm long
• Wings at a wide angle, often reddish when young
Size:
• Typically 5 to 10 meters tall with an equal or greater spread
• Slow-growing, adding 15 to 30 cm per year
• Functions as an understory and mid-canopy species in cool, moist mountain forests
• Thrives in the dappled shade of taller canopy trees
• Prefers the cool, humid microclimate of mountain ravines and north-facing slopes
• Leaves decompose rapidly, contributing to the rich forest floor humus layer
• Provides food for Japanese wildlife through its seeds and flower buds
• Relies on mycorrhizal associations for efficient nutrient uptake in the nutrient-poor mountain soils
• Flowers appear in early spring alongside the emerging leaves, providing pollen for early insects
• Tolerant of heavy snow loads in its native Hokkaido habitat
• Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List
• Widespread in Japanese mountain forests with stable populations
• Protected within Japan's extensive national park and forest reserve system
• Well-represented in botanical gardens and arboreta worldwide
• Some concern about genetic erosion in wild populations due to limited gene flow between fragmented mountain populations
• Hardy in USDA zones 5 to 7, possibly into zone 4 with protection
• Requires partial shade, especially in warmer regions; full morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal
• Prefers moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soils rich in organic matter
• Consistent moisture is essential; drought stress causes leaf scorch and decline
• Shelter from strong winds and hot, dry sites
• Slow growth rate of 15 to 30 cm per year
• Requires minimal pruning; structure is naturally elegant
• Outstanding as a specimen tree in woodland gardens, Japanese-style gardens, and collector's landscapes
• Several excellent cultivars available, including 'Aconitifolium' (fern-leaved) and 'Vitifolium' (grape-leaved)
Ornamental:
• One of the finest autumn-coloring trees in cultivation
• Prized for its broad, rounded leaves and spectacular, multi-hued fall display
• Several outstanding cultivars are available, most notably 'Aconitifolium' with deeply cut, fern-like leaves
• Used in Japanese-style gardens, woodland gardens, and as a collector's specimen
Horticultural significance:
• A parent of several notable hybrid maples, including Acer x pseudosieboldianum
• Valued by plant breeders for its cold hardiness and fall color
• Less commonly available than Japanese Maple but increasingly popular among discerning gardeners
재미있는 사실
The Fullmoon Maple holds a special place among maple enthusiasts because of a famous cultivar called 'Aconitifolium' (also known as 'Maiku jaku' or "Dancing Peacock" in Japanese), which has leaves so deeply dissected they resemble fern fronds. In autumn, this single plant can display every warm color in the spectrum simultaneously — scarlet, orange, gold, crimson, and purple — creating one of the most photographed fall color displays in botanical gardens worldwide.
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