Japanese Striped-Bark Maple Acer capillipes
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser cap-ILL-ih-peez
- Description
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Snakebark maple is a low maintinance small deciduous tree or large shrub in the Sapindaceae (soapberry) family native to the high elevation Japan. Most easily identified by the interesting olive colored bark marked with narrow white stripes that resemble a snake, hence the common name. The genus Acer means maple and the species name cappillus means hair and pes means foot in Latin in reference to its thin flower and fruit stalks.
Snakebark maple prefers cool summer climates where it can optimally preform in the landscape. Part shade is best though will tolerate full sun and medium moist, well-drained acidic soils. The canopy is rounded and multitrunked and may reach heights of up to 40 feet.
Flowers appear in mid-spring, are greenish white and fairy insignificant, followed by winged samara fruits. The leaves are reddish in the spring, and mature to dark green. In the fall it changes to a striking orange-red color adding interest to the landscape.
Plant it as a shade or street tree though this plant may be difficult to find in cultivation.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Potential insects are various scale pests, aphids, maple worms, cankerworms, gall and beetles. Potential diseases ate Anthracnose, bacterial leaf scorch, verticillium wilt, canker and powdery mildew. See the fact sheets to the left.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common maple diseases and insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- capillipes
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Japan
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed.
- Play Value:
- Shade
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heat tolerant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-trunked
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Attractive winged samara 3/4" long in fall
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Greenish white flowers 1/3' on 2.5" to 4" pendulous raceme in mid-spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are 4 to 7 in., opposite, and simple. The colors of the leaves vary from new leaves being bright red, to bright green in summer, and then to yellow to red fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Green
- Bark Description:
- Olive green with narrow white vertical striping
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Young branches are greenish to reddish brown with white stripes; most heat tolerant snakebark maple. The tree has low branches and a rounded head.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Pollinators