paperbark maple

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Paperbark Maple
• Chinese Paperbark Maple

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Crula grisea
• Acer zhongtianoense
• Acer triflorum var. leiopodum
• Acer nikoense var. griseum
• Acer leiopodum
• Acer shensiense
• Acer triflorum subsp. leiopodum
• Acer pedunculatum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Sapindaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Acer.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific range of occurrence within the various regions of China. Its presence is notably documented across the China South-Central territory. Additionally, the species can be found extending into the China North-Central area. The geographical footprint also encompasses the diverse landscapes of China Southeast. Collectively, these regions define the primary natural habitat for this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Acer griseum is characterized by its preference for specific montane habitats, primarily flourishing within a distinct altitudinal belt. This species is most commonly found inhabiting mid-to-high elevation zones, with its distribution spanning a range that begins at 1500 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL. Throughout its natural environment, it maintains a central presence at a mean elevation of approximately 1750 m AMSL, a positioning that likely dictates its exposure to specific temperature gradients, moisture availability, and light conditions typical of these mountain ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1750 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Acer griseum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish long-term presence in its natural habitat. As a deciduous plant, it undergoes a seasonal cycle of foliage development and loss, shedding its leaves annually to enter a period of dormancy during the colder months. This rhythmic shedding is often accompanied by a dramatic transformation in leaf color, which serves as a key physiological marker of its seasonal transition before the plant rests.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Acer griseum is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that is entirely self-supporting rather than acting as a climber or liana. This species is a terrestrial plant, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, it reaches a substantial height, typically ranging from a minimum of 10 m to a maximum of 20 m, with a mean plant height of approximately 15 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Plant height min:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Acer griseum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its ecological niche. The plant's vegetative development is closely tied to its leaf morphology, where the photosynthetic surface area is defined by specific dimensions: individual leaves typically exhibit a minimum length of 5 cm and a maximum length of 8 cm, with a mean length of 6.5 cm. Complementing these longitudinal dimensions, the leaf width varies from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 5 cm. These morphological traits collectively support the metabolic requirements of the species, facilitating efficient gas exchange and light absorption through its specialized C3 photosynthetic mechanism.

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length mean:

6.5 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Acer griseum is characterized by the production of specialized fruits designed for efficient propagation. The fruit dimensions exhibit specific morphological variations, with a mean length of 0.9 cm and a range spanning from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 1 cm. In terms of width, the fruits typically measure 0.7 cm on average, with a minimum width of 0.6 cm and a maximum width of 0.8 cm. These fruits are adapted to an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing wind currents to facilitate the movement and spreading of seeds away from the parent plant.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.9 cm

Fruit length min:

0.8 cm

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.7 cm

Fruit width min:

0.6 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Acer griseum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Acerogenin.

Acerogenin

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan