Acer miyabei (15/05/2015, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Early spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 25m
Eventual Spread: 15m
Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
Family: Sapindaceae
Acer miyabei is a deciduous, medium sized tree with a dome shaped habit. Its mid green leaves are palmate, with up to 5 acutely pointed lobes, a sinuate margin, up to 12cm long and 12cm across. Its leaves turn a golden yellow in autumn before they fall. Its bark is grey/ brown and deeply fissured. Its flowers are inconspicuous, held in small clusters. Its fruit is a pair of winged samaras, each being up to 3cm long and ripening in autumn.
Acer miyabei Leaf (15/05/2015, Kew Gardens, London)
Acer miyabei, commonly known as Miyabe Maple, Miyabe’s Maple or in Japanese: クロビイタヤ (Kurobiitaya), is native to Japan. In its native habitat it grows in woodlands and floodplains beside rivers and streams.
The etymological root of the binomial name Acer is from the classical Latin name for the Maple. Miyabei is named for Dr. Kingo Miyabe (1860-1951), a botanist and professor at Hokkaido University.
The landscape architect may find Acer miyabei useful as a specimen tree with attractive autumn leaf colour, particularly in a sheltered position in moist conditions.
Acer miyabei Bark (15/05/2015, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Acer miyabei seeds provide food for some mammals and birds.
Acer miyabei prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, although it prefers neutral to acid soil. It will not tolerate dry soils.
Acer miyabei requires little maintenance. Necessary pruning should be carried out during its dormant season.
Landscape Architecture
