Family: Sapindaceae
Common Name: Snakebark maple
Origin/Ecology: Native to China, Myanmar.
Habit: Small to medium sized understory tree, upright, often multi-trunked with arching branches.
Leaves: Ovate, unlobed (occasionally shallow-lobed), dark green leaves have serrulate or doubly serrate margins. Excellent yellow to orange to red fall colour.
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite.
Flowers and Fruit: Small, inconspicuous, yellowing flowers bloom on pendant racemes in spring. Small but abundant winged samaras in fall.
Bark: Distinctive green snake-like bark, smooth with white serpentine stripes.
Water Use, Soil: Medium moisture, well-drained soils. Prefers acidic soils that are kept consistently moist.
Exposure: Prefers part shade, particularly in hot summer climates, but can be grown in full sun.
Landscape Uses: Attractive small tree or large shrub for the landscape, used as a specimen plant.
Limitations: No serious pests or diseases. Potentially susceptible to verticillium wilt, leaf spots, tar spot, canker and root rots. Insects include aphids, scale, borers, caterpillars, and mites.
Other Features: