Acer monspessulanum

Acer monspessulanum is a small broadleaved tree occuring in southern Europe at the border between the Mediterranean biom and the warm-temperate biome. It is of small stature (frequently occuring as shrub or small tree) and of relatively low shade tolerance. The wood is redish in color and has the highest hardness and density of all Acer species. Because of its low stature the A. monspessulanum is not traded or used as lumber, but is of importance for revegetating degraded sites in southern Europe, and also has high energy content when used as fuel wood.
Lepidoptera associated with A. monspessulanum broadly overlap with those on A. campestre. In view of its restricted range in Europe, the number of recorded host associations is still small, but expected to increase and approach levels of the related A. campestre if it should be more widely planted in Europe.
References: ^1,3