Acer japonicum / Hauchiwakaede ハウチワカエデ

Acer japonicum, a deciduous dioecious tree, grows to a height of 5-10 meters, with a cross-section diameter of 20-30cm, and has gray-blue or gray-brown bark. It is found in valleys or on adjoining slopes at elevations of 900-1800m above sea level in mountainous regions—branches, new ones that are red-purple or red-brown and glossy with no hairs on them. Leaves are opposite; the blades are 7-12cm across, palmately cleft, shallow or middle, in 7-11 pairs, with bases heart-shaped and tips sharply pointed, and margins with double serrations. Flowers: Males and females mingle in each inflorescence; compound umbels with hairs bearing 10-15 small, red-purple flowers. Petals and sepals are 5 in number, respectively, and the others are yellow. Bloom time: April-May.