Acer griseum (Franch.) Pax

Paperback maple

About plant names...

Paperbark maple is a native of central China. It is not found in the wild in North America, though it is sometimes planted in landscapes.

Identification: Trees are 20-30' (6.1-9.1 m) tall and up to 25' (7.6 m) wide. The peeling, papery bark is a standout characteristic of this species. It varies from cinnamon-colored to dark, almost purplish brown as it ages, leaving a patchwork of color gradations on the trunk and branches. Leaves are opposite, in groups of three, serrated, green on top, pale bluish-green or silvery below, 3-6" (7.6-15 cm) long × 1-2" (2.5-5 cm) wide. In the fall, they turn red/orange. Yellow-green, inconspicuous flowers appear in April. Fruits are winged samaras; each wing is about 1" (3 cm) long.

See this comparison table of members of the maple family.

Online References:

Acer griseum on leafsnap.com

Acer griseum at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Acer griseum on plants.ces.ncsu.edu

Acer griseum at the University of Connecticut Plant Database

Acer griseum on WikiBooks.org

Acer griseum on www.treetopics.com

Acer griseum on eFloras

5/14/2012 · Acton Arboretum, Acton, MA
≈ 9 × 6" (22 × 14 cm)

Acer griseum description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.

5/14/2012 · Acton Arboretum, Acton, MA
≈ 12 × 8" (31 × 20 cm)

5/14/2012 · Acton Arboretum, Acton, MA
≈ 21 × 31" (52 × 78 cm)

5/14/2012 · Acton Arboretum, Acton, MA
≈ 7 × 4½" (17 × 11 cm)

5/14/2012 · Acton Arboretum, Acton, MA
≈ 8 × 5" (19 × 13 cm)

Range: Zones 4-8:

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