Japanese maple is a species in maple that can be found in
countries like Japan, Korea and China. It is just a small tree ranging from 5-12 meters and commonly grows as an understory plant. Its leaves are opposite that range from 5-12 long and wide, palmately lobed with five or seven acutely pointed lobes. Its flowers are produced in small cymes and its fruit is a pair of winged samaras with each samara's length ranging from 2-3 cm with a 6-8 mm seed.
Japanese maple has been cultivated in Japan and other areas with thousands of cultivars selected for differences in size, for leaf shape and size, leaf color, bark color and texture, and growing pattern. Like other maple species, this plant can adapt to different conditions, but it is mostly suited in deep and fertile soils. As an
understory tree, it can tolerate fairly dense sunlight although there is a disadvantage for that. There are cases wherein Japanese maple seedlings become a nuisance and the tree becomes invasive in woodlands. This plant is also commonly used in bonsai. So if you are looking for a bonsai, then Japanese maple can be the one that you are looking for.
