Hananoki Maple (Acer pycnanthum) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Hananoki maple is a tree native to wet woodlands in central Japan and a close relative of red maple (Acer rubrum). Its small red flowers appear before the leaves in early spring, and its leaves are shallowly lobed with whitish undersides. In the United States, it is grown in arboreta.

Appearance

Growth form: It is a deciduous tree that can grow more than 65 ft (20 m) tall in Japan.
Leaves: Leaves are shallowly lobed and whitish beneath. They can turn bright colors in fall.
Flowers: Many small red flowers appear before the leaves in early spring.
Fruit: Female trees produce winged fruits that ripen and fall in late spring in Japan.

Look-alikes

Red mapleAcer rubrum

Hananoki maple often has shallowly lobed leaves, but red maple leaves vary and can look much the same. A leaf photo alone may not identify it reliably; check the tree label or its planting record.

Why they get mixed upThey are close relatives with red early flowers.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Japanese wet woodlands
U.S. arboretum collections
Range: It grows naturally in wet areas of central Honshu, Japan. It is not native to the United States, but is grown in arboreta.

Name and classification

About the name: It was once called Acer rubrum var. pycnanthum, a variety of red maple. It is also called Japanese red maple.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: VUVulnerableHigh risk of extinction in the wild

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