Acer shirasawanum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser shir-ah-sa-WAN-um
- Description
-
Full moon or Shirasawa maple is a small deciduous tree or large shrub in the Sapindaceae (soapberry) family native to Japan. The genus Acer means maple.
It is grown for its attractive foliage and good fall color. It is slow-growing and eventually may reach 15 -20 feet tall. Its small stature makes it a good patio tree or container plant.
Plabnt in average moist well-drained soil and provide afternoon shade to prevent leave scorch and from strong winds.
Use as a specimen, in an Asian garden, or as an understory tree.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant 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 Insects.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Mountain Ridge Top Garden - West Lawn and Border Mountain Ridge Top Garden - East Lawn and Lower Drive Border
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- ‘Aureum’
Yellow leaves tinged with red. Orange red fall color. - 'Autumn Moon'
- ‘Aureum’
- ‘Aureum’, 'Autumn Moon'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- ‘Aureum’
Yellow leaves tinged with red. Orange red fall color. - 'Autumn Moon'
- ‘Aureum’
- ‘Aureum’, 'Autumn Moon'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- shirasawanum
- 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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a paired samara, red aging to brown held in erect clusters above the leaves.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Description:
- Reddish flowers in clusters
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Palmasect
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 2-3 inch leaves with 9-13 lobes with serrated margins, acuminate tip. Fall color is yellow, orange or red.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Bark Description:
- Smooth gray bark
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Bud Terminal:
- Cluster of terminal buds
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Small Tree
- Understory Tree
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Pollinators
