''Acer oblongum'', common name Himalayan maple, evergreen maple and Kashmir maple, is an evergreen Asian species of

maple ''Acer'' () is a genus of trees and shrubs commonly known as maples. The genus is placed in the family Sapindaceae.Stevens, P. F. (2001 onwards). Angiosperm Phylogeny Website. Version 9, June 2008 nd more or less continuously updated since http ...

in the family

Sapindaceae The Sapindaceae are a family of flowering plants in the order Sapindales known as the soapberry family. It contains 138 genera and 1858 accepted species. Examples include horse chestnut, maples, ackee and lychee. The Sapindaceae occur in tempera ...

Description

''Acer oblongum'' is a medium-sized evergreen to semi-deciduous tree reaching a height of approximately . Unique among maples, this plant stays green all winter. The trunks are buttressed, with a smooth to wrinkled bark. Leaves are opposite, ovate-lanceolate with entire margin, with a petiole 5–12 cm long, with glaucous-green underside and dark green upperside. The young shoots are reddish bronze and finely hairy. The flowers are hermaphroditic, small and inconspicuous, about 4 mm, greenish white, gathered in hairy

raceme A raceme ( or ) or racemoid is an unbranched, indeterminate type of inflorescence bearing flowers having short floral stalks along the shoots that bear the flowers. The oldest flowers grow close to the base and new flowers are produced as the s ...

s. The fruits are represented by the typical two-winged samaras, about 2.5 cm long, wind dispersed. It has been introduced for its wood and it is sometimes cultivated in large gardens for its evergreen foliage.

Distribution

''Acer oblongum'' is widespread across central, eastern, and southeastern Asia, from Tibet and northern India east as far as Japan, including southern China, and northern Indochina.

Habitat

''Acer oblongum'' prefers humid climate of the Himalayan forests, especially along streams, at an elevation of about above sea level.Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. Edinburgh and Glasgow 8:329. 1915

References

External links

*
Oregon State University

photo * {{Taxonbar, from=Q4673169 oblongum Trees of China Trees of the Indian subcontinent Trees of Indo-China Plants described in 1824