Acer carpinifolium aka Hornbeam Maple

Acer carpinifolium, also known as hornbeam maple or Chidorinoki in Japanese, is a small deciduous tree native to Japan. It can be found in woodlands and alongside streams in mountainous areas of Honshū, Kyūshū, and Shikoku. This bushy, spreading tree grows up to 10-15 meters tall and has smooth, dark greenish-grey to grey-brown bark. Its distinctive drooping, oval leaves resemble those of the common hornbeam, with prominent veins, toothed edges, and a tapering tip. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and are 7-15 cm long and 3-6 cm broad. They are pinnately veined with 18-24 pairs of veins and a serrated margin. During autumn, the leaves turn a vibrant gold and brown color. In spring, as the new leaves open, Acer carpinifolium produces greenish yellow flowers in pendulous racemes that are 5-12 cm long. The tree is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate trees. The flowers are about 1 cm in diameter and the male inflorescences contain 10-15 flowers, while the female inflorescences consist of 5-10 flowers. The fruit of Acer carpinifolium is a samara with two seeds, each with a 2-3 cm long wing. Acer carpinifolium is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It is valued for its unique leaf morphology, resembling hornbeams, and its bright yellow autumn color. The scientific and common names of this tree derive from the resemblance of its leaves to those of the genus Carpinus (hornbeams). Flowering occurs in May, coinciding with the blooming of the leaves.