[1][2][3][4] It is a deciduous small tree or shrub that grows to a height of 5–10 m, with a trunk up to 30 cm diameter.

The flowers are small, pale yellow, produced on arched to drooping racemes 3–5 cm long.

The fruit is a paired samara 1–2 cm long, pink or red maturing brown, with nutlets not more than 4 mm wide.

[5] Though first introduced to England by Charles Maries of Veitch Nursery in 1879[6] it is a somewhat difficult maple to propagate, and rarely seen outside of sizable collections.

The rare cultivars 'Me uri no ofu' and 'Veitchii' both have striking white and pink variegation.