Acer miyabei, commonly known as Miyabe’s Maple, is a deciduous tree native to riverbanks and floodplains in Japan. It typically grows to 10–20 meters tall, with a trunk diameter of 30–40 centimeters featuring rough, grey-brown bark. The leaves are five-lobed, 7–20 cm long and 12–20 cm broad, with the basal pair of lobes usually smaller, and a petiole length of 5–15 cm; the petiole exudes white latex when cut. The yellow-green flowers are produced in spring simultaneously with leaf emergence, in erect corymbs. The fruit is a samara with two winged seeds aligned at 180°, each seed being 8 mm wide, flat, with a 2 cm wing. The tree’s appearance is characterized by a rounded to broad-rounded form, adding to its ornamental value.

Miyabe’s Maple is valued for its hardiness, withstanding cold temperatures, urban pollution, and drought once established. It is a non-invasive alternative to Acer platanoides, commonly known as Norway Maple. In cultivation, it is used in urban plantings, as a specimen tree in parks, and in residential gardens for its attractive foliage and adaptability. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers soils with medium drainage. While not common in the nursery trade, it is often found in arboreta and botanical gardens. Gardeners should note that while it is disease-resistant, it may suffer from leaf scorch in dry or windy conditions without adequate water.CC BY-SA 4.0