Botanical Name: Acer argutum
Family: Sapindaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Sapindales
Genus: Acer
Species:A. argutum
Common Names: English as Pointed-leaf maple and in Japanese as Asanoha-kaede
Habitat: Acer argutum is native to Japan in the areas near bodies of water such as rivers and streams, at elevations of 800–1900 metres. It is found of the woodland, subalpine mountainous areas of Honshu and Shikoku in Japan. It is often found at the edges of forests, as it requires partial sunlight; it grows in any type of soil and tolerates all pH levels.
Description:
Acer argutum is a deciduous tree with an upright habit forming a dense canopy. The wide, green leaves are acuminate with 5 lobes. They change color from green to yellow and orange in autumn. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen in October. It can grow up to 10 metres tall and 8 metres wide in 10 years.
Cultivation:
Of easy cultivation, it prefers a good moist well-drained soil in a sunny position but tolerates some shade. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Chlorosis can sometimes develop as a result of iron deficiency when the plants are grown in alkaline soils, but in general maples are not fussy as to soil pH. This species prefers its trunk in the shade. Most maples are bad companion plants, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Edible Uses:
The sap contains a certain amount of sugar and can either be used as a drink, or the sap can be concentrated into a syrup by boiling off the water. The syrup is used as a sweetener on many foods. The tree trunk is tapped in the early spring, the sap flowing better on warm sunny days following a frost. The best sap production comes from cold-winter areas with continental climates.
Medicinal Uses: Not known to us.
Other Uses: The leaves may be used in packaging in order to preserve apples or root crops.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_argutum#:~:text=Maxim.,m%20(33%20ft)%20tall.
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Acer+argutum