Acer buergerianum

Trident maple is in the soapberry or Sapindaceae family and is indigenous to Japan, parts of China and Taiwan. It can reach a height of up to 20 m and diameter of 50 cm.

• Leaves are opposite, simple, palmate, up to 10 cm long and wide, with 3 forward-pointing untoothed and pointed lobes.
• Flowers are small, yellow-green in rounded clusters in spring.
• Winged seeds form a double samara about 2.5 cm long, blunt-headed with inner wing edges overlapping.
• Buds are reddish brown, conical, pointed; bark on larger stems is exfoliating.
• The species is variable with 6 or more documented varieties. It is popular for making into bonsai in Japan.