Vine-Leaved Maple Acer cissifolium
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser siss-ih-FOH-lee-um
- Description
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Ivy-leaved maple is a deciduous tree in the Sapindaceae (maple) family native to mountainous areas of Japan. Genus name is the Latin name for a maple tree. Specific epithet refers to the similarity of the trifoliate leaves to the leaves of some vines in the genus Cissus.
It is a fairly small tree typically growing up to 20 to 30 feet tall. While the initial growth is upright oval, with age it may become distinctly mushroom-like with a wide-spreading, globose form. Its preference is for partial shade in moist fertile well-drained soils but will tolerate full sun in cool summer climates. Consistent moisture is needed for best performance.
In spring 4 inch long catkins appear and are followed by two winged samaras. The leaves turn a modest yellow to red in fall.
Use this tree as a specimen, a shade tree, in an Asian garden or a street tree. Best grown in cool summer climates.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious 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:
- A Sampling of Shade Gardens
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- cissifolium
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- 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.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Oval
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- 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
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Description:
- Two-winged samara
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Small fragrant yellow flowers bloom in pendant racemes (to 4” long) in spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are 1.5 to 3 inches long, opposite, and trifoliate with three individual leaves. They are obovate or ovate to elliptic with pointed tips. The petiole is long and reddish, margins coarsely serrated. They are olive green in summer and have a modest yellow, red fall color. Undersides have whitish tufts in the axils of the veins.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Smooth gray bark
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Hairy
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Slender, pubescent, reddish purple in first year turning to a gray brown in the second year. Buds are terminal: reddish-purple 3/16" long, valvate, pubescent, lower part of bud glabrous. laterals: similar, 1/2 as long, appressed.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Patio
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Shade Tree
- Street Tree
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Pollinators
