In The Garden: Identification

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by jox4plants, Sep 19, 2011.

  1. jox4plants

    jox4plants Member

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    Richmond, Virginia
    Hello everyone!

    I currently am enrolled in a Field Botany course in which we catalog Virginia Native trees. However last class during our field excursion I came across a tree that was not in the key of native Virginian trees. My teacher then encouraged me to look up the identity of the tree online. I have tried, but I don't know where to start when looking up this particular plant family and species.

    Some key characteristics that I noticed was that this tree contains 1-1.5 in thorns at each and every axillary bud. The top of the leaf blade is very waxy and comes to a sharp point towards then end. The petioles are also white in contrast to the green leaves. I found this tree on the margin of a creek if the environment is important when cataloging trees.

    I would appreciate if anyone had any insight to what this tree may be. Attached i have three pictures that I took of the plant.
     

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  2. Andrey Zharkikh

    Andrey Zharkikh Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Could it be Maclura pomifera - a native species in Virginia and almost all the US.
     
  3. jox4plants

    jox4plants Member

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    I'm looking at pictures of Maclura pomifera and I don't see thorns at every axillary bud. Perhaps I'm looking at a different species, or just a representation of the plasticity of the plant? My professor insisted that the thorns were a characteristic feature, however she was unsure about the plant name. Thanks for your time!
     
  4. Andrey Zharkikh

    Andrey Zharkikh Well-Known Member 10 Years

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