Dipteronia sinensis (Chinese Money Maple)
Michael's Opinion
This ornamental, bushy and pyramidal deciduous tree, often compared with Acer Maples, originates from the moist, shady forests of central China and is currently on the endangered species list. Of note are the large leaves which can be up to 60 cm long.
Botanical Information
| Family | Sapindaceae (Aceraceae) |
| Genus | Dipteronia |
| Species | sinensis |
| Category | Woody |
| Type | Tree (deciduous), Shrub (deciduous) |
| Origin | Gansu, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Shaanxi, Shanxi and Sichuan, China. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8 - 10 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 7b |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H5 - H2 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | (-9) - 4 |
| Temperature (°F) | 15 - 40 |
| Height | 10-16 m |
| Flowering Period | April |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | This species has been placed on the IUCN Red List as globally threatened. |
| Notable Specimens | Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England. |
| Habitat | Forests and mountane areas of central and south-west China at an altitude of 1,000-2,400 m. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Purple or purplish-green branchlets. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Pubescent. |
| Leaf Description | Oblong-ovate to oblong-lanceolate, thin, 10-11 lateral veins, with tufts of hairs at the veins axils and a rounded or broadly cuneate base, 7-10 x 2-4 cm. |
| Flower Description | White 5 petaled flowers, 2.5 cm in diameter. |
| Fruit Description | Winged nutlet, produced in September. |
Photographs
