Rank Species | Genus Acer | |
 | ||
Similar Acer distylum, Acer oliverianum, Acer caesium, Acer pectinatum, Acer caudatum | ||
Acer oblongum, common name Himalayan maple, evergreen maple and Kashmir maple, is an evergreen Asian species of maple belonging to the soapberry family.
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Description
Acer oblongum is a medium-sized evergreen to semi-deciduous tree reaching a height of approximately 15–22 metres (49–72 ft). 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 racemes. 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 Pakistan east as far as Japan, including southern China, northern India, and northern Indochina.
Habitat
Acer oblongum prefers humid climate of the Himalayan forests, especially along streams, at an elevation of about 600–2,000 metres (2,000–6,600 ft) above sea level.
