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Acer amamiense

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Acer amamiense
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Sapindaceae
Genus: Acer
Section: Acer sect. Lithocarpa
Species:
A. amamiense
Binomial name
Acer amamiense
Yamazaki

Acer amamiense (also known as Amami maple) is a rare species of maple native to Amami-Oshihma, in southern Japan.[2]


Description

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Acer amamiense is a round-topped, deciduous tree, growing to about 4–5 m (13–16 ft) in height in the wild.[3] New leaves are a deep purplish colour.[4] Mature leaves are five-lobed and green, turning a bright red-purple in autumn.[3] It resembles Acer diabolicum, but differs in having glabrous petioles and short-haired, rather than bristly fruit.[5] Yellow flowers are produced before the leaves open in spring, followed by brown winged fruits on female plants.[6]

Only discovered in 1999, Acer amamiense is considered a critically endangered species, with a very limited native range, and only a dozen specimens existing in the wild.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Harvey-Brown, Y. (2020). "Acer amamiense". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T103451090A103452327. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T103451090A103452327.en. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b "New discovery fuels optimism for conserving world's most endangered maple". Forestry Journal. 2024-08-13. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  3. ^ a b "Acer amamiense | Mundi Plantarum". jardin-florilege.eu. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  4. ^ "Tree of the month - May 2015 - Blog". Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum. 2020-03-18. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  5. ^ "World Plants". worldplants.ca. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  6. ^ "Acer amamiense | Amami maple Shrubs/RHS". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-24.