Fauna
Plant

Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum

Also known as Palmate Maple, Smooth Japanese Maple

Japanese maples dominate the understory of temperate East Asian mountain forests with delicate, palm-shaped leaves that turn brilliant shades of crimson, orange, and gold in autumn. Their graceful, contorted branches produce small reddish-purple spring flowers followed by pairs of winged seeds that helicopter to the ground on autumn breezes. Cultivated for centuries, these slow-growing trees now thrive globally in shaded gardens and parks as iconic ornamental specimens.

DeciduousOrnamentalAutumn Color
Japanese Maple reference1 / 7
(c) harum.koh, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by harum.koh · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Aphids
  • Scale Insects
  • Deer
ThreatsHabitat loss, aphid infestations, verticillium wilt, extreme drought
HabitatsTemperate forests, mountain slopes, woodland gardens, parks
Life span100–150 years
Classification
  1. OrderSapindales
  2. FamilySapindaceae
  3. GenusAcer
  4. SpeciesAcer palmatum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Spring Viewing: Look for tiny, ruby-red flower clusters emerging alongside soft new foliage.
  • Autumn Foliage: Visit shaded groves in late autumn when leaves transition to brilliant crimson.
  • Seed Spotting: Observe paired winged samaras spinning down from branches on breezy days.
Related species
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