Laceleaf Japanese maple Acer palmatum subsp. matsumurae
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Laceleaf Japanese maple:
Previously known as:
- Acer matsumurae
- Acer palmatum var. dissectum
- Acer palmatum var. matsumurae
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser pahl-MAY-tum mat-su-MOO-ray
- Description
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The Japanese laceleaf maple is a short tree in the Sapindaceae (soapberry) family, native to southeast Korea and central and south Japan, and noted for having many aesthetically pleasing forms. Weeping as well as upright varieties exist, and the species is well noted for its beautiful deep red and orange summer color that deepens into the fall. Acer is Latin for sharp and palmatum means shaped like a hand, referring to the leaves.
Japanese laceleaf maple is an attractive deciduous shrub or small tree with a low spreading shape and distinctly divided lacy leaves. The size and leaf colors vary greatly with cultivars.
This tree prefers moist, organically rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soils and grows well in sandy loams. Plant it in full sun to partial shade but where it will get some afternoon shade. Makes a good dappled shade understory plant.
New foliage may scorch in full sun locations in hot summer areas, particularly if soils are not kept consistently moist. Mulch helps retain soil moisture and keep roots cool. Avoid hot and dry sites and protect from strong winds. Pruning is best kept to a minimum, but if needed should be done in late fall to mid-winter. Spring or summer pruning often results in significant bleeding.
It works well as a specimen plant near a patio or entryway or planted in groups on the outskirts of a landscape or rock garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, scale, maple worms, leafrollers, and leafhoppers are occasional pests. Anthracnose, leaf scorch, and frost damage, especially from late frosts, can occur. It self-seeds easily so can spread and become weedy in the landscape. High pH soils cause chlorosis. 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.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Part Shade Garden, Durham County Asian Garden - Zen Garden Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Lawn and Upper Drive Border Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Woods Mountain Ridge Top Garden - West Lawn and Border Patio Room Koi Pond & Water Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Crimson Queen'
- 'Ever Red'
Deep maroon - 'Garnet'
- 'Green Mist'
- 'Inaba Shidara'
Large maroon leaves - 'Ornatum'
- 'Red Filigree Lace'
Finely cut lobes, purple-red color - 'Seiryu'
- 'Tamukeyama'
- 'Virdis'
- 'Waterfall' - green leaves
- 'Crimson Queen'
- 'Crimson Queen', 'Ever Red', 'Garnet', 'Green Mist', 'Inaba Shidara', 'Ornatum', 'Red Filigree Lace', 'Seiryu', 'Tamukeyama', 'Virdis', 'Waterfall' - green leaves
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Crimson Queen'
- 'Ever Red'
Deep maroon - 'Garnet'
- 'Green Mist'
- 'Inaba Shidara'
Large maroon leaves - 'Ornatum'
- 'Red Filigree Lace'
Finely cut lobes, purple-red color - 'Seiryu'
- 'Tamukeyama'
- 'Virdis'
- 'Waterfall' - green leaves
- 'Crimson Queen'
- 'Crimson Queen', 'Ever Red', 'Garnet', 'Green Mist', 'Inaba Shidara', 'Ornatum', 'Red Filigree Lace', 'Seiryu', 'Tamukeyama', 'Virdis', 'Waterfall' - green leaves
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- palmatum subsp. matsumurae
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Makes a good dappled shade understory plant.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Japan, Korea, and China
- 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.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Sandy loam soil
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 9 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Weeping
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- 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
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Small reddish-purple umbles in spring (April) give way to two-winged samaras which ripen in late summer to early fall. While the flowers are attractive close up, like most maples they are not showy from a distance.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Orange
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Palmately veined, green leaf (2-5" long) has 5 to 7 but less frequently 9 toothed lobes that are deeply cut to the base of the leaf. Dissectum means deeply cut in reference to the deeply cut, feathery nature of the leaves. Young leaves that emerge in early spring can be subject to frost damage.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Fairy Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Weedy