Tropical tree, alternate fuzzy new leaves, tiny yellowish flowers

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by wcutler, Nov 28, 2013.

  1. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Here's a tree planted at Ala Moana Park in Honolulu. It gives the impression of having pinnately compound leaves, but they're alternate simple leaves, maybe around 15cm, with flowers growing from the leaf nodes. Stems and new leaves are fuzzy. Flowers are tiny. I thought I didn't see or photograph any fruit, but it looks like in the centre of the third photo are some araliaceae-looking fruits.
     
  2. Brockstar

    Brockstar Member

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    Ailanthus altissima?
     
  3. saltcedar

    saltcedar Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    Not Ailanthus, though I have no idea what it is.
     
  4. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    It does give that impression, but Ailanthus have compound leaves, and these are simple leaves. Thanks for the interest.
     
  5. Tony Rodd

    Tony Rodd Active Member

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    Could be Guazuma ulmifolia in the Malvaceae (Sterculiaceae)
     
  6. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    I can certainly see why someone would give it that specific epithet.
     
  7. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Tony, thanks! That's very convincing. There's a great collection of photos of that on flickr starting here, which are part of the NY Botanical Garden's C. V. Starr Virtual Herbarium, Vascular Plants of the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica collection.

    It seems to be an area of Malvaceae/Sterculiaceae trees, but I didn't recognize that for this one.
     

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