The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: devil maple, horned maple

Family: Aceraceae (maple family)

Distribution: Japan

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Hardiness: USDA Zone 5

Life form: Deciduous tree

Comments: The horned maple or devil maple is native to central and southern Japan, and it is also planted as an ornamental in that region. Elsewhere, this is not a well known tree. It will typically grow up to 20-30 ft. tall. The winged fruit (i.e., samara) is its distinguishing feature as it is thick and bristly with two hornlike structures leftover from the flower protruding out, hence the common name and specific epithet. Trees of this species are either female or male (i.e., dioecious). Female trees bear yellow flowers, while male trees have more showy red blooms.