Acer paxii Franchet

Evergreen maple

This relatively rare tree is from southwestern China. It was discovered by P. Delavay in 1883, and later named for German botanist Ferdinand Albin Pax. They are not found in the wild in North America.

See Acer for a comparison chart.

Plants: Up to 49′ (15 m) tall. This is an evergreen, while most maples are deciduous. Bark is brown.

Leaves: Leaves are divided into three leaflets when young, but the leaflets more or less merge together as the leaf ages. Leaves are leathery, 1¾–4 ⨉ ¾–2″ (5–11 ⨉ 2–6 cm), on a stalk (petiole) ¾–1¾″ (2–5 cm) long, with a shiny upper surface and a gray underside.

Flowers: Small corymbs 1–1½″ (3–4 cm) around, inconspicuous, and yellowish-green. Flowers have five sepals and five petals, and 8 stamens.

Fruits: Seeds are winged samaras as with other maples, but green to reddish purple. The wings are more parallel than with most maples.

Habitats: Moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It is often found in forests, woodlands, and along riverbanks.

Online References:

Acer paxii description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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