Definition
Acer gracilifolium is a species of flowering plant in the genus Acer (family Sapindaceae), commonly referred to as a maple. It is a deciduous tree or shrub known for its comparatively slender leaves.
Overview
The species is native to China, where it occurs in forested, mountainous regions at moderate elevations. It is a relatively uncommon member of the Chinese flora and is primarily documented in provincial floras such as those of Yunnan and Sichuan. As a maple, it contributes to the understory composition of temperate broad‑leaf forests and is adapted to cool, moist habitats.
Etymology / Origin
- Genus name: Acer derives from the Latin word acer meaning “sharp” or “pointed,” historically referring to the sharp points of maple fruit (samaras).
- Species epithet: gracilifolium combines the Latin gracilis (“slender”) with folium (“leaf”), indicating the plant’s characteristic narrow or delicate leaves.
Characteristics
- Growth form: Small to medium‑sized deciduous tree or shrub, typically reaching heights of 3–8 m, though exact maximum size varies across populations.
- Leaves: Simple, palmately lobed leaves with notably narrow lobes; leaf margins are serrate. The leaves are green during the growing season and often display a reddish‑purple hue in autumn.
- Bark: Young stems have smooth, grayish bark; mature bark becomes fissured.
- Flowers: Small, yellow‑green, hermaphroditic flowers arranged in racemes; flowering occurs in late spring.
- Fruit: Paired samaras (winged seeds) typical of maples, with a nutlet attached to a thin, spreading wing; mature in early autumn.
- Habitat: Prefers mixed hardwood forest zones on well‑drained, loamy soils; often found on slopes and in valleys with sufficient humidity.
- Phenology: Leaf emergence in early spring, flowering shortly thereafter, fruit maturation by mid‑autumn, and leaf abscission in late autumn.
Note: Precise measurements of leaf dimensions, samara length, and elevation range are not consistently reported across all sources; available data suggest a preference for elevations roughly between 1 500 and 2 500 m.
Related Topics
- Genus Acer – Overview of maple taxonomy, physiology, and economic importance.
- Sapindaceae – The family encompassing maples, lychees, and related genera.
- Flora of China – Comprehensive reference for plant species native to China, including distribution maps and provincial records.
- Maple samara dispersal – Studies on the aerodynamic properties and ecological role of winged maple seeds.
- Conservation status of Chinese forest species – Contextual information on habitat pressures affecting endemic trees such as Acer gracilifolium.