Beni komachi Japanese Maple                         A-ser pal-MAY-tum

• Broadleaf deciduous tree/shrub, sometimes listed as dwarf shrub a few meters high, but in time grows into a small tree (i.e., semi-dwarf), densely branched.  Leaves deeply dissected, 5-lobed, each slightly curly, leaf length may vary from 3-7 cm, bright crimson when unfolding then darkens, turning greenish-red, margins remain edged in crimson; fall color is red.
• Hardy to USDA Zone 5.    Fast growing stems with large atypical leaves should be removed.
• Introduced by J.D. Vertrees, before 1975.  
• Beni komachi: "red-haired, beautiful little girl"