It grows to 10 metres (33 ft) tall with a trunk up to 50 centimetres (20 in) in diameter.

The flowers are yellow-green, produced in small pendulous corymbs.

[3][5][6] It is one of the most drought- and heat-tolerant species in the genus, occurring on dry, sunny hillsides at moderate elevations.

It is closely related to Acer monspessulanum from further north and west in Europe, differing from it in being a smaller, often shrubby tree, and in its smaller, evergreen leaves.

[3] Cretan maple is occasionally grown as an ornamental tree in western Europe; it was first introduced to Britain in 1752.