Acer truncatum aka Shantung Maple

Acer truncatum, also known as the Shantung maple, Shong maple, or purpleblow maple, is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to northern China and. It can reach a height of 15 meters and has a broad, rounded crown. The bark starts off smooth but becomes shallowly ridged with age. The leaves are opposite, palmately lobed with five lobes, ranging from 5 to 12 centimeters in length and 7 to 11 millimeters in width. Occasionally, the largest central lobe may have a pair of teeth, and the margin is often wavy. When the petiole is broken, it releases a milky latex. In early spring, yellow-green flowers appear in corymbs, with five petals measuring 5 to 7 millimeters in length. The fruit consists of a double samara with two winged seeds that are disc-shaped and slightly flattened, ranging from 13 to 18 millimeters in diameter. The wings spread widely, approaching a 180° angle. The bark is greenish-grey and smooth in young trees but becomes shallowly grooved as it matures. This maple species is closely related to Acer amplum, Acer cappadocicum, and Acer pictum subsp. mono, which are found further south and west in China and in Japan. It can be difficult to distinguish between them, but Acer truncatum can be distinguished by its shoots, which turn brown in the first winter instead of remaining green for several years. It also has larger, thicker seeds compared to Acer mono. Acer truncatum is a unique maple species in that it exhibits hypogeal germination. As an ornamental plant, Acer truncatum is cultivated in Europe and North America. There are several cultivars, including the variegated form of 'Akikaze Nishiki' and 'Fire Dragon', which displays vibrant autumn foliage. 'Keithsform' (Norwegian Sunset) is a hybrid between Acer truncatum and Norway Maple. Overall, Acer truncatum is a beautiful tree with glossy green leaves that turn red or yellow in autumn.