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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 ¼ to ½ 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 14 inch long.
- A tree, the height of which is not stated, introduced by Maries in 1881. At Coombe Wood, a specimen is about 25 feet high, and produces fruit, borne in erect racemes.
- 4. Acer tataricum, Linnæus. South-Eastern Europe, Southern Russia, Asia Minor, Caucasus.
- Leaves (Plate 207, Fig. 33) 3 inches long, 2 to 24 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.
1 Figured in Gard. Chron. xv. 499, f. 93 (1881).
2 At Arley Castle a good specimen is 29 feet high and 1 foot 9 inches in girth.
