Identification: Nursery Bonsai - Unknown

Discussion in 'Indoor and Greenhouse Plants' started by maveriiick, Nov 25, 2009.

  1. maveriiick

    maveriiick Member

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    I recently acquired a small shrub/tree that was apparently 2 years old and looked largely like a chinese elm with respect to the leaf shape and size, but was structured differently with a collection of shrub on top of long exposed roots. I was told that it was a "green tea" tree by the nursery owner, but they could not provide me with any additional taxonomic identification. The plant apparently also blooms very tiny flowers as well.

    Can Anyone help me identify this shrub/tree? I think it also is native to Taiwan.
     

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  2. SusanDunlap

    SusanDunlap Active Member

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    Is there a bonsai site with good images? You might be able to explore looking for alternate, scalloped, "round", green leaves. Those four criteria together might get you somewhere. Trouble is the leaf shape, a bit uncertain looking at these photos and lacking certainty about the age of the plant. Good Luck!
     
  3. maveriiick

    maveriiick Member

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    Better pictures. I've looked high and low for identification. No luck.
     

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  4. SusanDunlap

    SusanDunlap Active Member

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    thanks for the new pics. nice plant! will poke around some more but I bet someone else will take a stab at it too.
     
  5. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Maybe Zelkova sinica?
     
  6. maveriiick

    maveriiick Member

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    Ulmus or Zelkova are good bets from what I can find, but I cannot see anything in my searches that match the dense canopy and elongated root structure.
     
  7. SusanDunlap

    SusanDunlap Active Member

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    Thanks Michael. Zelkova sinica looks right. Perhaps the delicate form is a desired bansai attribute?
     
  8. maveriiick

    maveriiick Member

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    I don't believe this is a Zelkova Sinica however. This tree is tropical and needs to be kept indoors. Sinica is apparently from China. The nursery owner indicated that the tree came from Taiwan. Does the Zelcova sinica produce tiny flowers?
     
  9. maveriiick

    maveriiick Member

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  10. Poetry to Burn

    Poetry to Burn Active Member

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    I wondered if this might be a potted vine like Cissus species.
     
  11. maveriiick

    maveriiick Member

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    I can see your reasoning, but the leaves on this little shrub never get larger than 1 cm in diameter (if your lucky). Leaf size diameter ranges from 2-3 mm to 6-7 mm.
     
  12. Poetry to Burn

    Poetry to Burn Active Member

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    Are the leaves waxy and or fleshy?
     
  13. maveriiick

    maveriiick Member

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    I'd have to say somewhat shiny and fleshy
     
  14. I like plants

    I like plants Member

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    I know this is off subject but you should put your bonzai in a real bonzai pot. Because the pot you have now isn't designed for that.
     
  15. maveriiick

    maveriiick Member

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    Bonsai pots are technically for finished tree for shows. These trees are still in training.

    Anyone else know this shrub/tree?
     
  16. caudiciformken

    caudiciformken Active Member

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    If it's not a "chinese elm", you could try checking out "Erodium", or the "white herons bill". They have similar leaf, AND flower as the vendor said.
    The erodium produces a woody trunk eventually.
    Erodium reichardii is one to check out.
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2010
  17. maveriiick

    maveriiick Member

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    I'm impressed, this is the closest guess so far. The only problem is that the "flowers" on my tree are no bigger than 1-2 mm and white/off-white. Thanks, I'll research Erodium to see what I can find, but the flowers on these plants appear to be large and colourful.
     
  18. caudiciformken

    caudiciformken Active Member

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    Hi there, my erodium has very tiny flowers. In the 2mm range. The variety I have
    is a bit off white, with maybe a bit a pink.
    There are pinks, etc.


    The pic's that are on the net, are difficult to tell the scale. But
    the leaf is tiny, along with the flower.

    Send me an email, and we can talk.....I am also in the Toronto area.
    Ken
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2010
  19. caudiciformken

    caudiciformken Active Member

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    Just wondering if this has been identified positively yet?
     
  20. maveriiick

    maveriiick Member

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    Unfortunately no, the closest similarity was an erodium IMHO, but it's flowers are so small compared to those of the erodium.
     
  21. caudiciformken

    caudiciformken Active Member

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    Better late than never. lol.
    It is "Grewia piscatorum"
     

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