ACER 153 



3. DlSSECTUM. In the typical form of this group the lobes are seven, nine, or eleven 

 in number, reaching to the leaf-stalk, again deeply and finely cut to the midrib of each 

 lobe, then sharply toothed ; green. 



ROSEO-MARGINATUM. Leaves marked as in palmatum roseo-marginatum, but with 



the cutting of dissectum. 

 ORNATUM. Leaf-cutting as in ordinary dissectum, but deep red. 



4. SESSILIFOLIUM. Once thought to be a distinct species. Leaf shortly stalked, 

 green, often with three or more distinctly stalked leaflets. This is the Acer sessilifolium 

 of some authors, its true origin not being suspected until it was found as a sport growing 

 on ordinary A. palmatum. 



The typical A. palmatum and most of the green and purple varieties are 

 quite hardy in the south of England. Yet they are not very frequently seen in 

 good condition. They undoubtedly like a sunny position sheltered on the north 

 and east sides, and a good loamy or peaty soil. Perhaps the greatest drawback 

 is their susceptibility to late spring frosts ; it is not unusual to see the young 

 growths cut back once or twice in spring, and whilst the vigorous green, purple, 

 and red varieties recover, that is fatal to the permanent success of the more 

 delicate forms with the most exquisite colouring and cutting. Another source 

 of failure is due to their being grafted on strong, ill-fitting stocks by the Japanese. 

 Several forms, hitherto failures, have been found to succeed on their own roots. 

 Seedlings, of course, are best ; but the varieties do not come true from seed, 

 although forms superior to the parent may often be obtained. There seems to 

 be a promising field for raisers of good forms from seed in the milder parts of 

 this country. Japanese maples were very successfully grown in the Tunbridge 

 Wells nursery of Messrs Cripps before its dispersion. 



A. PENNSYLVANICUM, Linnceus. SNAKE-BARK MAPLE. 



(A. striatum, Du Rot.} 



A deciduous tree, sometimes 30 or more ft. high, usually 15 to 20 ft., with 

 rather erect branches. Young wood at first green, becoming, when two or 

 more years old, beautifully striped with white jagged lines. Leaves up to 7 

 ins. long, a little less wide, with three conspicuous, tapering, forward-pointing 

 lobes at the terminal part ; margins finely and sharply double-toothed ; lower 

 surface covered with minute reddish down when young, which mostly wears off 

 towards the end of the season ; stalks i^ to 2 ins. long, the enlarged bases of 

 each pair clasping the shoot. Flowers yellow, produced in May on slender, 

 pendulous racemes 4 to 6 ins. long, not densely ; each flower is ^ in. diameter, 

 and borne on a stalk J to | in. long. Fruit in pendent racemes, smooth ; wings 

 f in. long, each pair forming a crescent i^ to 2 ins. across. 



Native of Eastern N. America; introduced in 1755. This maple is 

 remarkable chiefly for the exceedingly handsome striping of its younger 

 branches and stem. For a long time it was the only species known in cultiva- 

 tion with this character, but in late years several species have been brought 

 from N.E. Asia showing the same colouring [see A. Davidii, capillipes, 

 cratasgifolium, rufinerve]. The leaves, large and handsome at maturity, have a 

 pinkish tinge on opening, and usually turn yellow in autumn. It is one of the 

 most distinct and desirable of maples ; sometimes called "Moose-wood." 



Var. ERYTHROCLADUM, Spath. In this variety the young shoot turns a 

 bright crimson after the fall of the leaf. This, added to the other attractions of 

 the species, make this variety one of the most attractive of all small hardy 

 trees. Put into commerce by Mr Spath of Berlin in 1904. 



A. PICTUM, Thunberg. 



A deciduous tree, up to 60 ft. in height, young shoots not downy, becoming 

 grey and slightly fissured the second year. Leaves five- or seven-lobed, 3 to 6 



