Devil Maple Acer diabolicum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser di-ah-BALL-ee-cum
- Description
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Devil Maple is a deciduous tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae) native to central and southern Japan and is planted as an ornamental in that region. In the US, it makes a sturdy landscape tree though not well known. The genus name means maple and the species name means relating to the devil. The common name devil or horned maple comes from the two hornlike appendages of the protruding curly stigmas of its flowers, which are retained on its winged fruit, a samara.
Mature height is 20 to 30 feet with a similar spread and a rounded habit. It prefers full sun to partial shade in moist well-drained soil.
Yellow female flowers that are not particularly showy appear on the female tree before the leaves. The male tree has slightly more showy red blooms. The real distinguishing feature for this tree is the winged samara which is distinctly thick and bristly.
Plant this tree as a specimen in an Asian-themed garden or in a lawn or along a slope. Because it supports moth larvae it would be an excellent addition to a pollinator or nighttime garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids can be an issue for this tree. Verticillium Wilt and Fusarium Wilt may be contracted. See potential insect and disease 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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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- diabolicum
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- 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. Flowers attract pollinators
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- 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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The seeds, like wings, are upright or spreading with horn-like structures at the inner junction of the fruiting structure about 1 1/2 inches long.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Dioecious, with first yellowish to salmon to brick red flowers appearing in early spring before the leaves fully unfurl. The female tree has yellow, while the male is red.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are 4 to 7 in., opposite, and simple with 5 lobes. They are dark green on the top side and have a silky pubescence on the bottom, especially the veins. Non-showy fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Older bark is grayish brown, and nearly smooth or slightly furrowed.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Young branches are whitish and pubescent, to brown or reddish brown in their second year and changing to a light grayish brown and glabrous.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Shade Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Pollinators
