Acer GINNALA - Amur maple, Ginnala maple, river maple.
Can be grown in bonsai style!
Acer is a genus of deciduous trees and shrubs in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), comprising more than 120 species and numerous ornamental forms. Native ranges span Europe, Asia, and North America, with the greatest species diversity occurring in eastern Asia. Maples are found in mixed forests, on mountain slopes, in river valleys, and in parkland landscapes. The second genus in the subfamily - Dipteronia - is distributed only in China.
The plants have a rounded or broad, dense crown and large palmately lobed leaves with radiant venation. In autumn, the leaf blades take on brilliant shades of yellow, orange, purple, or reddish-brown, making maples among the most ornamental trees of the temperate zone. Shoots are usually light-colored, with varying bark hues on young growth.
The flowers are small, yellow-green, gathered in loose inflorescences and appear in early spring - simultaneously with the leaves or slightly earlier. The fruit is a double samara consisting of two winged seeds that separate upon maturity and are dispersed by the wind. The root system is predominantly shallow, which facilitates establishment but makes the plant sensitive to soil compaction.
Maple reproduces by seeds and suckers. Most species are light-demanding, tolerate urban conditions well, and are characterized by longevity: the average lifespan is 150-200 years, with individual specimens capable of reaching 300-500 years of age. Thanks to their ornamental appeal and hardiness, the genus is widely used in landscape gardening worldwide.
Amur maple grows as a large shrub, reaching up to 6 m (20 ft) in height and 10 cm (3.9 in) in trunk diameter. The bark is predominantly smooth, gray, with slight fissures. Leaf margins are irregularly serrate. It begins flowering 10-15 days after leaf unfolding.