Coliseum Maple Acer cappadocicum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser kap-puh-DOH-see-kum
- Description
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Coliseum maple is a medium to large deciduous tree in the Sapindaceae (maple) family that is native to mixed forests from Turkey to the Caucasus, the Himalayas and southwestern China. Currently this tree is very commonly seen growing in North America. The genus means maple and the species name refers to a geographic region in modern Turkey where the tree was first discovered.
Plant in full sun or partial shade in a range of soil types but prefers moist, organically rich, and acidic. The rounded crown typically grows to 35' tall and to 25' wide, although trees in the native habitat may mature to as much as 60-80' tall. The leaves are lobed and bright green turning attractive yellow to red in the fall. The flowers are greenish yellow and fairly insignificant but the samaras that follow add interest to the summer and fall landscape.
Unlike most maples, this species usually produces root suckers around the base of the tree to form extensive groves over time. Coliseum maple may be difficult to source, though it makes an attractive addition to any landscape.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: See potential disease and insect problem 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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- Aureum
- Aureum
- Aureum
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Aureum
- Aureum
- Aureum
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- cappadocicum
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Caucasus, Asia Minor, Northern India
- 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.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 25 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- 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 Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Colorful samaras in the fall.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Monoecious yellowish-green flowers (separate male and female flowers on the same tree) bloom in corymbs (to 2" long) in April. Non-showy
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Palmatifid
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are 3 to 6 in., opposite, and simple with 5 to 7 lobes. They have golden/ yellow fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Green
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
- Bark Description:
- Mature bark is gray green and furrowed
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Remains green through year 3, smooth and gray thereafter. Leaf stems when cut exude a milky sap.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Dry Soil
