Acer 631 



rarer species. The following synopsis, in which the species are arranged artificially 

 according to the shape of the leaves, will help to distinguish most of the species 

 in cultivation. 



Synopsis of the Maples in Cultivation 

 I. Leaves simple, not lobed. 



* Leaves entire in margin. 



1. Acer oblongum, Wallich. Himalayas, China. 



Leaves coriaceous, 3 to 6 inches long, narrowly elliptical, long acuminate, 

 glabrous and glaucous beneath ; nerves, eight to twelve pairs, not reaching the 

 margin ; stalks 2 to 3 inches long. 



A tree, about 50 feet high. The Himalayan form was introduced in 1824, 

 and has been long in cultivation in the temperate house at Kew ; it is 

 doubtfully hardy. The Chinese form, introduced by Wilson in 1901, is 

 growing rapidly out-of-doors at Coombe Wood ; but is slightly tender. The 

 young leaves of the latter are bright -red in spring, and are slightly toothed 



with distinct serrations. 



** Leaves serrate. 



2. Acer carpinifolium, Siebold et Zuccarini. Japan. 



Leaves about 4 inches long, plicate, and resembling those of the Japanese 

 hornbeam {Carpinus japonica), long acuminate, pubescent beneath, sharply 

 bi-serrate ; nerves, twenty pairs, extending to the margin ; stalks \ to \ inch 

 long. 



A tree, attaining 50 feet in height. Introduced by Maries in 1881. Trees 

 at Coombe Wood are about 15 feet high, and are remarkably distinct in foliage 

 from the other species of maple, 



3. Acer distylum} Siebold et Zuccarini. Japan. 



Leaves 5 inches long, 4 inches broad, ovate, long acuminate, finely serrate, 

 pubescent on both surfaces when young, later glabrescent ; nerves, eight to ten 

 pairs, looping and not reaching the margin ; petioles pubescent, about i^ 

 inch long. 



A tree, the height of which is not stated, introduced by Maries in 188 1. At 

 Coombe Wood, a specimen is about 25 feet high, and produces fruit, borne in 

 erect racemes. 



4. Acer tataricum, Linnaeus. South-Eastern Europe, Southern Russia, Asia 



Minor, Caucasus. 



Leaves (Plate 207, Fig. 33) 3 inches long, 2 to 2^ inches wide, ovate, 

 rounded or slightly cordate at the base, rounded or shortly acuminate at the 

 apex, unequally bi-serrate, green and scattered pubescent beneath. The leaves, 

 usually without lobes, show occasionally slight and irregular lobes. 



Introduced in 1759. A shrub or small tree,^ coming early into leaf, 



' Figured in Card. Chron. xv. 499, f. 93 (1S81). 

 At Arley Castle a good specimen is 29 feet high and 1 foot 9 inches in girth. 



