#acer griseum

[mosswolf]

today's cool plant of the day is: Acer griseum, the paperbark maple!!!! a small deciduous tree native to china, it was introduced to the uk in 1901. its bark is coppery and peels, hence the name paperbark, but the chinese name 血皮枫, translated literally, is bloodbark! what is suspected to be the first specimen in the uk is currently still growing in westonbirt arboretum in gloucestershire.

photo from the broadwalk collection of the national botanic garden of wales!

[infinitesismall]

acer griseum

[serpentinesheldonserpentine]

Today

Paperbark maple.

[kihaku-gato]

1 of 3 germinating Acer griseum seedlings. I’m still hoping for more with the masses of seeds I had sown two winters ago, but paperbark maple has a big reputation of having an *absurdly* low germination success rate (part of which being because most seeds are embryoless duds). For 1% germination rate? I’ll take 3 seedlings as a win.

[calochortus]

Nuthatch with bark from an Acer Griseum (Paperbark Maple) by Paul H Via Flickr: Presumably this will be used to line its nest.

[nimilspike]

[hazelhymns]

Brittnee's plant of the day 3/?

The Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum) is an outstanding ornamental tree. With it's showy exfoliating bark, and bright red fall color this is a great tree to bring all season interest to your garden. Grown in zones 4-8, this tree has been growing in popularity, earning the Award of Garden Merit. One of my favorites!

Photo credits and more information: x x

[zosialynchphotography]

Portland, Oregon, October 3.