I found this plant in a partially wooded area. It is apparently a young Evergreen tree or bush. This photo was taken February 9, 2008. It was an isolated plant and I have not seen any others like it. There are lots of privets in the area, but I don't think this is a privet. Any ideas?
Agree not a privet, as the leaves are alternate (privet has opposite leaves). Not enough detail visible in the pic to tell what it is, though; can you do a close-up of the leaves please? (preferably with a 10cm ruler for scale)
Evergreen alternating leaves This is a branch that is taken from a tree or bush that I posted earlier. It shows alternating leaves.
Re: Evergreen alternating leaves Here and up close photo of two of the leaves. Hope you can see the arrangement of leaf veins. Yes, the leaves are lobed. I thought it might be some kind of laurel, but the surface of the leaves are dull.
Re: Evergreen alternating leaves Could it be a young live oak, which can have more variable leaves than a mature one?
Re: Evergreen alternating leaves The closeup does look something like Baccharis. They are deciduous around here, but are supposed to be evergreen further south.
Re: Evergreen alternating leaves Definitely is Baccharis halimifolia! It is not supposed to be in my area of Alabama. It is now! I'm cutting it down. I've had enough problems with the privet!
Re: Evergreen alternating leaves Baccharis halimifolia is native in Alabama according to USDA: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=BAHA&mapType=nativity&photoID=baha_002_avp.tif So no need to remove it.