Devil Maple is a deciduous tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae) native to central and southern Japan and is planted as an ornamental in that region. In the US, it makes a sturdy landscape tree though not well known. The genus name means maple and the species name means relating to the devil. The common name devil or horned maple comes from the two hornlike appendages of the protruding curly stigmas of its flowers, which are retained on its winged fruit, a samara. Mature height is 20 to 30 feet with a similar spread and a rounded habit. It prefers full sun to partial shade in moist well-drained soil. Yellow female flowers that are not particularly showy appear on the female tree before the leaves. The male tree has slightly more showy red blooms. The real distinguishing feature for this tree is the winged samara which is distinctly thick and bristly. Plant this tree as a specimen in an Asian-themed garden or in a lawn or along a slope. Because it supports moth larvae it would be an excellent addition to a pollinator or nighttime garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids can be an issue for this tree. Verticillium Wilt and Fusarium Wilt may be contracted. See potential insect and disease problem fact sheets to the left. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common maple diseases and insect pests. More information on Acer .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
24-60 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in. | Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Dentate; Lobed; Serrate
Leaf feel
Soft
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are 4 to 7 in., opposite, and simple with 5 lobes. They are dark green on the top side and have a silky pubescence on the bottom, especially the veins. Non-showy fall color.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower form
Insignificant; Raceme
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Dioecious, with first yellowish to salmon to brick red flowers appearing in early spring before the leaves fully unfurl. The female tree has yellow, while the male is red.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Samara
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Fruit detail
The seeds, like wings, are upright or spreading with horn-like structures at the inner junction of the fruiting structure about 1 1/2 inches long.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Dark Gray
Bark detail
Older bark is grayish brown, and nearly smooth or slightly furrowed.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy; White
Stem detail
Young branches are whitish and pubescent, to brown or reddish brown in their second year and changing to a light grayish brown and glabrous.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Japan
Wildlife value
Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed. Flowers attract pollinators