Acer japonicum 'Taki no gawa' Full Moon Japanese Maple

'Taki-no-gawa' is a large-leafed Acer japonicum cultivar distinguished by exceptionally rounded, fan-shaped leaves that emerge bright green in spring before maturing to a deeper kelly green by midsummer. The foliage is notably thick and leathery, imparting a tropical appearance uncommon among Japanese maples, and the tree develops an upright habit with a broad crown, reaching 10-12 feet tall in maturity. Fall color is typically a bold orange, often transitioning through orange-red and yellow tones, and the thick leaves extend the duration of autumn display. According to the growers at Mr Maple, this cultivar captures the essence of wild Acer japonicums encountered in Japan's mountain ranges; afternoon or late-day shade enhances leaf size and overall vigor, making the specimen's distinctive rounded form even more prominent.