| Acer laevigatum | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Sapindaceae |
| Genus: | Acer |
| Section: | Acer sect. Palmata |
| Series: | Acer ser. Penninervia |
| Species: | A. laevigatum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Acer laevigatum Wall. 1830 not G. Nicholson 1881
| |
Acer laevigatum, the smooth maple or Nepal maple, is an atypical species of maple native to southern China (Guizhou, Hong Kong, Hubei, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan), northern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim), northern Myanmar, Nepal, and northern Vietnam. It grows at moderate altitudes of 1,000-2,000 m, with a wet monsoon climate.[2][3]
Acer laevigatum is an evergreen tree growing to a height of 10–15 m or more, with a trunk up to 50 cm diameter. The leaves are smooth, unlobed, leathery, olive-green, and about 6–15 cm long and 3–5 cm wide, with a short 1-1.5 cm petiole. The leaves are normally persistent, and only drop in winter in unusually severe frost.[3]
The samaras are 4–7 cm long and have a purplish tone.
There are two varieties, which may not be fully distinct:[2]
- Acer laevigatum var. laevigatum Most of the species' range. Leaves glabrous (hairless).
- Acer laevigatum var. salweenense (W.W.Smith) J.M.Cowan ex W.P.Fang - Yunnan. Leaves pubescent (downy).
- ^ Crowley, D.; Barstow, M.; Rivers, M.C. (2018). "Acer laevigatum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T194699A2358843. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T194699A2358843.en.
- ^ a b Xu, T.-z., Chen, Y., de Jong, P. C., & Oterdoom, H. J. Flora of China: Aceraceae (draft) Archived September 25, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b van Gelderen, C.J. & van Gelderen, D.M. (1999). Maples for Gardens: A Color Encyclopedia.