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Natural variation in Japanese maples, coupled with observed mutations and cross pollination in cultivated specimens resulted in the emergence of 200 cultivars in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1867). The term “Japanese maple” does not represent one species and may be used to refer to any of the 23 species of Acer that are native to Japan.Ī. palmatum has been cultivated in Japan for centuries, with the selection and propagation of specific cultivars dating back almost 400 years, to the early 1600’s. Out of these, at least 350 cultivars are used in Europe and North America. Currently, there may be more than 1000 varieties and cultivars present, including hybrids or grafts with species closely related to Acer plamatum, such as A. Seedlings from the same parent tree often grow to display differences in key traits such as the leaf size, shape, and colour.ĭevelopment of Japanese maple cultivars started in Japan in the 1700s, when gardeners selected and bred or used grafting to propagate attractive variants in leaf features, and overall size and form of the tree. In nature, Acer palmatum undergoes considerable genetic variation. It is often present as an understory plant in shady woodlands. Acer palmatum is a deciduous shrub or small tree that is 20 to 33 ft tall. Acer palmatum (common name: Japanese maple or smooth Japanese maple) is a species of woody plant native to Japan, North Korea, South Korea, eastern Mongolia, and southeast Russia.