Acer monspessulanum
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Acer monspessulanum, the Montpellier maple, is a species of maple native to the Mediterranean region from Morocco and Portugal in the west, to Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, and Israel in the east, and north to the Jura Mountains in France and the Eifel in Germany.[1][2][3]
Description
Acer monspessulanum is a medium-sized deciduous tree or densely branched shrub that grows to a height of Script error: No such module "convert". (rarely to Script error: No such module "convert".).[4] The trunk is up to 75 cm diameter, with smooth, dark grey bark on young trees, becoming finely fissured on old trees. Among similar maples is most easily distinguished by its small three-lobed leaves, 3–6 cm long and 3–7 cm wide, glossy dark green, sometimes a bit leathery, and with a smooth margin, with a 2–5 cm petiole. The leaves fall very late in autumn, typically in November. The flowers are produced in spring, in pendulous, yellow to white corymbs 2–3 cm long. The samaras are 2–3 cm long with rounded nutlets.[2][3]
Subspecies
It is variable, and a number of subspecies and varieties have been described, but few are widely accepted as distinct. The most widely accepted as distinct is Acer monspessulanum subsp. microphyllum (Boiss.) Bornmueller, from Turkey and Lebanon, with smaller leaves not over 3 cm broad.[2]
The species can be mistaken for Acer campestre (field maple), another maple native to Europe, from which it is best distinguished by the clear sap in the leaves (milk-white in field maple), and the much narrower angle between the samara wings.[2][3]
Cultivation
Among maples not endemic to Japan, A. monspessulanum (and the similar A. campestre) are popular among bonsai enthusiasts.[5] In both cases, the smallish leaves and shrubby habit of the maple respond well to techniques to encourage leaf reduction and ramification.[6] These bonsai have an appearance distinct from those created from maples such as Acer palmatum whose leaves are more frilly and translucent.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Otherwise, Acer monspessulanum is rarely seen in cultivation outside of arboreta. In the United States, a mature specimen may be seen at Arnold Arboretum in Boston, Massachusetts. A specimen can also be found in the arboretum of the Montreal Botanical Gardens.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
References
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c d Rushforth, K. D. (1999). Trees of Britain and Europe. Template:ISBN.
- ↑ a b c van Gelderen, C.J. & van Gelderen, D.M. (1999). Maples for Gardens: A Color Encyclopedia.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Bonsai Club International: Acer monspessulanum Template:Webarchive
- ↑ Bonsai Club International: Acer campestre Template:Webarchive
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External links
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- Acer monspessulanum - genetic conservation units and related resources. European Forest Genetic Resources Programme (EUFORGEN)
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- Maple
- Flora of Europe
- Flora of North Africa
- Flora of temperate Asia
- Plants described in 1753
- Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
- Plants used in bonsai
- Garden plants of Africa
- Garden plants of Asia
- Garden plants of Europe
- Ornamental trees
- Flora of the Mediterranean basin