Japanese name: ウリカエデ（瓜楓） Scientific name:Acer crataegifolium
[Overview]
A dioecious deciduous small tree seen at the edges of forests in low mountains, growing about 5 m tall.
The trunk is erect.
The leaves are opposite, 4–8 cm long and 3–6 cm wide, either shallowly palmately 3-lobed or simple.
The leaf tip is drawn out into a tail.
The leaf margins have irregular double serrations.
The petiole is 1–3 cm long.
The leaves and petioles are at first densely covered with brown hairs, but later become almost hairless.
The leaves turn red in autumn.
The flowers are borne, about 10 per raceme 2–4 cm long, at the branch tips, and hang down.
The flowers are pale yellow, with 5 sepals and 5 petals.
The fruits are 2 cm long and borne in pairs, each with a propeller-like wing, and the wings spread horizontally.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or cuttings.
It prefers a well-drained site in partial shade to full sun.
Partial shade is better, especially while the tree is young.
In shade, the autumn color develops poorly.
Longhorn beetles and aphids cause damage, so catch and kill them as soon as they are found.
