Identification: Ficus? Fig? Or something else?

Discussion in 'Indoor and Greenhouse Plants' started by singer74, May 9, 2008.

  1. singer74

    singer74 Active Member

    Messages:
    47
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Upstate NY - Zone 5/6
    Hi all,

    I have this little tree seedling that my mother gave me last year. She says it is a ficus of some sort, but it doesn't look like the ficus trees I've seen, with their smooth glossy leaves. This tree has matte, "papery" leaves with jagged edges.

    What I do know about this plant: It doesn't like heat, doesn't like sun, and does not grow!! When I received it, the height was about 4" and it had 4 leaves; now, a whole year later, it is still only about 5-6" and has gained just a few leaves. Please help me ID this plant! Thank you!
     

    Attached Files:

  2. saltcedar

    saltcedar Rising Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    4,398
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Austin, Tx
    Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) perhaps?

    HTH
    Chris
     
  3. singer74

    singer74 Active Member

    Messages:
    47
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Upstate NY - Zone 5/6
    Hmm. Does look similar, but I don't think that's it. ROS usually grows like a weed around here, and this thing just doesn't do anything.
     
  4. avocado

    avocado Member

    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    PNW-WA
    Don't know what it is, but definitely it does not look like a fig leaf.
     
  5. Cereusly Steve

    Cereusly Steve Active Member

    Messages:
    610
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    MD, USA
    Definitely not a fig of any kind.

    First impression is that it is Hibiscus syriacus.
     
  6. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    4,776
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario
    Definitely not fig or ficus, but I'd say that it is a hibiscus of some sort. Maybe a baby H. rosa-sinensis - they can be pretty fussy.
     
  7. singer74

    singer74 Active Member

    Messages:
    47
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Upstate NY - Zone 5/6
    OK, I mentioned it to my mom today, and it turns out I misunderstood her. She did not say it was a ficus. She says it is something called a Love Tree. She started a few of them from seed (mine is the only one that has survived!). Anyone heard of this?
     
  8. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    4,776
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario
    Well, love tree is usually Circis spp aka Redbud.
     
    Last edited: May 10, 2008
  9. DGuertin

    DGuertin Active Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    332
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Doesn't look like any Circis I've seen. With that kind of distinctive leaf shape, it's got to be obvious to someone somewhere... Love Tree is more of a program than a particular species, and it varies from country to country whether it's Blue Spruce or Katsura... Prunus Avium just happenes to be one, by the way. ;-) Wild Cherry.
     
  10. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    4,776
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario
    See, that's what initially had me thinking it was a tropical hibiscus, which can be finicky little beggars when they're tiny.
     
  11. singer74

    singer74 Active Member

    Messages:
    47
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Upstate NY - Zone 5/6
    I agree that the leaves do look a lot like some hibiscus leaves, but I just can't get any farther with it. I've never grown a hibiscus, though I know that there are a couple varieties that are native to my area. It bugs me that this thing just will not grow, that's why I need to find out exactly what it is!
     

Share This Page