Acer davidii

This snakebark maple (sometimes commonly called Pere David's maple) is a deciduous, somewhat variable, small to medium sized, understory tree that is native to mixed forest areas of central China. It is perhaps best noted for its snake-like bark, unlobed leaves and attractive autumn leaf color. It is part of the Macrantha taxonomic section of maples which consists of trees commonly called stripe bark maple or snake bark maple in reference to their distinctive bark. It is an upright, often multi-trunked tree with arching branches that grows to 30-50 tall. Smooth, olive green bark is streaked wi... more »

This snakebark maple (sometimes commonly called Pere David's maple) is a deciduous, somewhat variable, small to medium sized, understory tree that is native to mixed forest areas of central China. It is perhaps best noted for its snake-like bark, unlobed leaves and attractive autumn leaf color. It is part of the Macrantha taxonomic section of maples which consists of trees commonly called stripe bark maple or snake bark maple in reference to their distinctive bark. It is an upright, often multi-trunked tree with arching branches that grows to 30-50 tall. Smooth, olive green bark is streaked with green and white. Ovate, unlobed (occasionally shallow-lobed), opposite, dark green leaves (3-6\ long) have serrulate or doubly serrate margins. Small, inconspicuous, yellowish flowers bloom in pendant racemes (2-3\" long) in spring. Flowers give way to small but abundant winged samaras which mature in fall. Excellent yellow to orange to red fall color. This species was discovered in China in 1869 by Jean Pierre Armand David (1826-1900), Jesuit missionary. Macrantha section contains 18 different species of maple, including A. capillipes (see D351 herein) and A. pensylvanicum (see D359 herein)." (less)