The "Komine-kaede" (Acer micranthum) belongs to Aceraceae (the Maple family). It is a semi-tall deciduous tree that is endemic to Japan, occurring on Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. This tree grows in beech forests and can reach 6-10 m in height. The barks are grayish-brown and smooth with vertical stripes. The leaves are diveded into five clefts palmately with cuneatic tips and double-serrated margins. The racemes are borne at the terminal branches and the small pale yellowish-green flowers bloom May to June. The fruits are samaras with almost 180-degree opened wings, and ripen from August to October.