Japanese name: オオイタヤメイゲツ（大板屋名月） Scientific name:Acer shirasawanum
[Overview]
A deciduous tree up to 20 m tall, growing in forests in low mountains.
Leaves are opposite, 5–9 cm long and 6–12 cm wide, palmately divided into 11–13 lobes, with sharp double serration.
The petiole is as long as the leaf or about 2/3 as long.
The leaves turn red in autumn.
The flowers are borne 10–20 in compound corymbs at the branch tips, with male flowers and bisexual flowers blooming on the same tree.
The flowers have 5 sepals and 5 petals.
The petals are pale yellow, and the sepals are cream-colored tinged with red.
The fruits are about 2 cm long and borne in pairs, each with a propeller-like wing, spreading almost horizontally.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or cuttings.
It prefers a well-drained place 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 kill them as soon as they are found.
