Miyabe Maple
Acer miyabei
Family: Sapindaceae
Leaf Type: Deciduous
Mature Height: 9-18 m (30-60 ft)
Fall Color: Pale to golden yellow
Native Range: Miyabe maples are found along river banks in their native range of northern Japan (Hokkaido Island).
Features
Like other maples, the primary method of spreading seeds is through a samara, or winged encasing, which is also the fruit of the tree. Miyabe maples have a double-winged, green, paper-like samara. The bark of a Miyabe maple starts as gray-brown to red-brown in color with a corky texture. As the tree matures, the bark becomes fissured and scaly with a fluted trunk. When the Miyabe maple flowers in spring, the yellow-green flowers are small and clustered. We recommend not sampling the fruits & nuts of the trees and plants here at Adventure Science Center.
Fun Facts
● Japaness botanist Kingo Miyabe (1860-1951) discovered this tree at a stop during a train ride.
● In its native range, the Miyabe Maple is an endangered species found close to streams and rivers.
Did you know that trees provide homes for animals, keep us cool and clean our air? Click here to learn more about the benefits that trees provide to us and our world.
This site has a rich human history, including the story of the Bass Street Community, one of the first Free Black neighborhoods in Nashville. Click here to learn more about St. Cloud Hill and its many inhabitants over the years.