Origin
The Acer palmatum 'Reticulatum' originally comes from Japan. It's a plant from the soapberry family (Sapindaceae). The plant species predominantly grows in forests and is also known as the Japanese maple. The botanical name 'Palmatum', meaning 'hand-shaped' in Latin, derives from this.

Characteristics
The distinguishing characteristic of the Acer palmatum 'Reticulatum' is its stunning hand-shaped leaves with deep-set veins. The leaves have a distinctive reddish to orange colour, especially in the autumn. The plant itself has a shrub-like growth habit and generally does not grow taller than four meters. Its flowers are small and a purple-red colour. The Acer palmatum 'Reticulatum' is a popular choice for bonsai due to its fine wood structure and slow-growing nature.

Care
The Acer palmatum 'Reticulatum' requires well-drained soil and a location out of direct sunlight to prevent leaf scorch. It's a slow grower and needs to be watered regularly, but not excessively as this can cause root rot. In general, it's resistant to most diseases and pests. Pruning is not strictly necessary but helps to maintain its tendency to form shrubs. It is best to prune in the late summer or autumn after the leaves have turned colour.