Elongated blue fruits on tree with opposite leaves

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by wcutler, Jun 16, 2016.

  1. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

    Messages:
    11,024
    Likes Received:
    2,374
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC Canada
    I've gotten excited about this tree before, might even have posted it for ID, but I remember nothing about it now, and I can't find my photos. @Sundrop posted honeyberry photos the other day, Lonicera caerulea, with elongated blue berries, which is what made me take notice of these, but I'm not convinced that's what this tree is. Leaves are opposite, and only very occasionally with one or two prickles near the tips, like some Ilex, but those have alternate leaves. Fruits are around 2cm long, shrivelled yesterday - I have no idea if they're like that when they're fresh.
    OppositeLeaves-BlueFruits_StanleyPark-CeperleyPlayground_Cutler_20160615_152911.jpg OppositeLeaves-BlueFruits_StanleyPark-CeperleyPlayground_Cutler_20160615_153059.jpg OppositeLeaves-BlueFruits_StanleyPark-CeperleyPlayground_Cutler_20160615_153151.jpg
     
  2. Sundrop

    Sundrop Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,057
    Likes Received:
    98
    Location:
    Kootenays, BC, Canada
    I don't believe it could be Lonicera caerulea.

    First of all, according to Wiki, Lonicera caerulea is a deciduous shrub growing to 1.5–2 m tall (mine are smaller, but they are still young). I am not an expert, but I think even if it could be trained to look like a tree, it would not exceed that height too much. The tree on your picture looks like close to 6 m. tall.
    The berries look similar, that's true, but overall appearance of the whole plant, branches, leaves, are quite different, too. Unfortunately, I can't say what it is. Flowers, as always, could help :)

    I enclose a close-up of my 'Borealis', hope it helps. my_place_honeyberry_borealis_close_up_2016-06-12.jpg
     
  3. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

    Messages:
    11,024
    Likes Received:
    2,374
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC Canada
    I found it - Osmanthus heterophyllus. I thought to query "Ceperley" in my photos. I've only noticed the flowers before. This is the same tree, photos from October 6, 2014; I have no idea how I got the name at the time.
    OsmanthusHeterophyllus_20141006_CeperleyPicnic_Cutler_P1140640.JPG OsmanthusHeterophyllus_20141006_CeperleyPicnic_Cutler_P1140644.JPG

    And at UBCBG, flowers from January, 2013.
    20130110_UBCBG_OsmanthusHeterophyllus_Cutler_P1390091.JPG

    Thanks for the comments, Sundrop. The leaves are very different. But I'm happy to have more info to help if I run across honeyberries.
     
  4. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

    Messages:
    11,024
    Likes Received:
    2,374
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC Canada
    And for extra pathetic, two weeks ago, I figured out Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki' querying something like leaves like holly, and then I forgot what it was and when I saw it. Maybe I'll remember now, or at least it's here for reference. I remembered that it wasn't a tree with blue berries.
    Osmanthus-heterophyllusGoshiki_1146HarwoodBute_Cutler_20160601_143217.jpg Osmanthus-heterophyllusGoshiki_1146HarwoodBute_Cutler_20160601_143254.jpg
     

Share This Page