Ivy-leaved maple is a deciduous tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae) native to mountainous areas of Japan. Genus name is the Latin name for a maple tree. Specific epithet refers to the similarity of the trifoliate leaves to the leaves of some vines in the genus Cissus . It is a fairly small tree typically growing up to 20 to 30 feet tall. While the initial growth is upright oval, with age it may become distinctly mushroom-like with a wide-spreading, globose form. Its preference is for partial shade in moist fertile well-drained soils but will tolerate full sun in cool summer climates. Consistent moisture is needed for best performance. In spring 4-inch long catkins appear and are followed by two winged samaras. The leaves turn a modest yellow to red in fall. Use this tree as a specimen, a shade tree, in an Asian garden or a street tree. Best grown in cool summer climates. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. See potential disease and insect problem fact sheets to the left. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common maple diseases and insect pests. More information on Acer .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Mature size
Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in. | Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Oval; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Obovate; Ovate
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Leaves are 1.5 to 3 inches long, opposite, and trifoliate with three individual leaves. They are obovate or ovate to elliptic with pointed tips. The petiole is long and reddish, margins coarsely serrated. They are olive green in summer and have a modest yellow, red fall color. Undersides have whitish tufts in the axils of the veins.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Raceme
Flower detail
Small fragrant yellow flowers bloom in pendant racemes (to 4” long) in spring.
Slender, pubescent, reddish purple in first year turning to a gray brown in the second year. Buds are terminal: reddish-purple 3/16" long, valvate, pubescent, lower part of bud glabrous. laterals: similar, 1/2 as long, appressed.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Japan
Wildlife value
Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed.