Acer palmatum Crispifolium

Discussion in 'Maples' started by Andre, Apr 24, 2005.

  1. Andre

    Andre Active Member Maple Society 10 Years

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  2. Layne Uyeno

    Layne Uyeno Active Member 10 Years

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    Hi,

    There is no mention of Crispifolium in Vertrees' book. However I did do a search on that website and found Shishigashira:

    http://www.maillot-bonsai.com/catalogue.asp?id=12&p=75

    It *could* be a new European cultivar. Or, perhaps more likely a generic term for a Shishigashira-like tree....similar to what "Acer palmatum f. atropupureum" or "Acer palmatum linearilobum" is to red seedlings or thread leaf seedlings.

    Any body else know about this one?

    Layne
     
  3. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    If it's a new (post-1959) cultivar name then it's "illegitmate", being pseudo-botanical. Maybe it's a mistake for 'Crispa' or 'Crispum', both synonyms for 'Okushimo' as well as 'Shishigashira'.

    The current Vertrees lists 'Crispifolium' in Appendix D - Cultivar Names Not Elsewhere Described.
     
  4. AlainK

    AlainK Renowned Contributor Forums Moderator Maple Society 10 Years

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    On a bonsai forum, someone told me that according to him, my 'Sishigashira' was a 'Crispifolium'. I replied that I thought it was just a different name for the same cultivar after reading this thread and searching the web. Most nurseries list them as synonyms.

    But other people said they have had both and that to them they are different. Here are the photos they sent me.

    I'm still a bit skeptical: maybe they come from different plants, with only slight variations, or maybe the rootstock can influence their growth.

    Note also that the link Andre gave in 2005 is not valid any longer, it's not on Maillot's catalogue any more.
     

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  5. mr.shep

    mr.shep Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Crispifolium does exist. I had my tree for over
    20 years and it was about 12 years old when
    I purchased it from Henderson Experimental
    Gardens. The sourcing for the old plant in
    the nursery came from a well known nursery
    in England through Raraflora nursery and then
    shipped West. At one time Esveld had this
    Maple as well.

    This European form, not of Japanese origin,
    and indeed was around long before the 1950's,
    differs from Shishigashira in that there are
    no whorls at or near the apical tips unlike
    true Shishigashira - see photo in the second
    edition Japanese Maples book to see what
    these whorls look like. This Maple can be
    distinguished by the leaf shape which is a
    more palmate shape with a broader and
    more cupped "hand" (palm) to the leaf.
    Also, the lobes are noticeably shorter in
    length to a bona fide Shishigashira with
    less crinkle to the palm of the hand and
    lobes. Fall colors, similar yet different as
    well to Mejishi, range from multi-toned
    golds with orange-bronze highlights with
    some splashes of red with the most distinct
    coloration seen nearer the center of the leaf.

    What will confuse people is that Crispifolium
    has more of an upright growth habit much the
    same as Mejishi (see Esveld web site Mei jishi
    photos) which differs from the round headed,
    less tall, less willowy and much more compact
    growing O jishi.

    Jm
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2012
  6. AlainK

    AlainK Renowned Contributor Forums Moderator Maple Society 10 Years

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    Thanks a lot, Jim.

    As we say, "Je me coucherai moins bête ce soir" (I'll go to bed less stupid tonight ;°) )
     

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