Acer davidii

Here's some pictures of Acer davidii (snakebark maple).

We can see that leaves from young seedlings are sometimes really different from those from mature trees.

 

The seedling on the third picture 3 months later. Size is now 30 to 40 cm.

 

Other plants that have similar seedlings between species, that become distinct later are Phyllostachys and Rosa.

 

If the seeds were open-pollinated and there are other snake-barks nearby, they may well be hybrids

 

Maybe. I didn't think of this !

These seeds are coming from an arboretum with almost all the 100 maple species in the same area.

Is the davidii known for easy hybridation ?

And as the arboretum usually exchange seeds, how do they do to prevent unwanted hybridation and keep "pure" species ?

 

Yes: seed from collections is often hybrid. That's why wild collected seed is preferred by some.

 

The grower collected the seeds that produced this tree from A. davidii, but this tree, beautiful as it is, is not A. davidii, but rather a hybrid. Photographs April 30 and October 22, 2002.

 

Acer davidii - Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle, accessions 1957, 1972, 1976, 1997, and 1999.