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Full Moon Maple Acer shirasawanum

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Full Moon Maple:

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’, 'Autumn Moon'
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#specimen#slow growing#deciduous shrub#fall interest#understory tree#nighttime garden#pollinator plant#Asian garden#larval host plant#deciduous tree#partial shade tolerant#imperial moth#container plant#patio#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • ‘Aureum’
    Yellow leaves tinged with red. Orange red fall color.
  • 'Autumn Moon'
‘Aureum’, 'Autumn Moon'
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#specimen#slow growing#deciduous shrub#fall interest#understory tree#nighttime garden#pollinator plant#Asian garden#larval host plant#deciduous tree#partial shade tolerant#imperial moth#container plant#patio#wildlife friendly
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • 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.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Corymb
    Flower Description:
    Reddish flowers in clusters
  • 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.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Gray
    Bark Description:
    Smooth gray bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Bud Terminal:
    Cluster of terminal buds
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Small Tree
    Understory Tree
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Pollinators