Tsingling Maple

Acer sterculiaceum, commonly known as Franchet’s maple or Himalayan maple, is a species of maple tree in the soapberry family. It is indigenous to Bhutan, northern India, and southwestern and central China (Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Tibet, Yunnan).

Acer sterculiaceum grows at altitudes of 1,800–3,100 metres (5,900–10,200 ft). It is a tree up to 20 meters tall with dark gray or grayish-brown bark. Leaves are palmately lobed, usually with 3 or 5 lobes but occasionally 7. Leaves are up to 20 cm long, thick and a bit leathery, dark green and hairless on the top, lighter green and woolly on the underside.

Subspecies

Acer sterculiaceum subsp. franchetii (Pax) A.E.Murray - central and southwestern China

Acer sterculiaceum subsp. sterculiaceum - Yunnan, Tibet, Bhutan, India

Acer sterculiaceum subsp. thomsonii (Miq.) A.E.Murray - northern India