I have found a small tree with small light green elongated leaves. It also has small buttercup shaped dark eggplant colored flowers that are very rough looking (not feeling) in texture. They are double flowers with some light yellowing on the inside and hang upside down on the branches. I have worked in the design industry for many years and am familiar with most small flowering trees; however, I am stumped with this one. My uncle, whose tree this is, called it a banana tree??? But he is in his late 80's and forgetful. He also said it is an old tree and it is only 10-12' tall. Also, it is multi-stemmed. Any ideas??? It is a beautiful little tree and I could not even find it in my trusty Dirr manual either. Thank you so much for your help, Kristarens p.s. I live in zone 5
hello - can you attach any photos of the tree / flowers? I think that would be a big help to us- Thanks - Cynthia
Hello kristarens, I assume you mentioned that you are in Zone 5 because the plant grows outside. If that is the case that would rule out M. figo. If you have been in the bus. for a while I would imagine you are familiar with the pawpaw, Asimina triloba. It fits the flower description pretty well (don't know about the yellow, but there is variation in the sp.). The leaves are light coloured, but I don't think of the leaves as small. It is sometimes called northern banana and was popular in the past (and returning). This is just a wild guess, but maybe it is a small cultivar.
