Unknown plant - St. John, US Virgin Islands

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by Shyzaboy, Jul 28, 2008.

  1. Shyzaboy

    Shyzaboy Active Member

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    Any idea what this plant is? I can't seem to get anywhere looking at on-line pix...
     

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  2. Cereusly Steve

    Cereusly Steve Active Member

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    Almost impossible to ID cold without seeing it in flower or already having prior knowledge of the plant.
     
  3. alex66

    alex66 Rising Contributor Maple Society 10 Years

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    maybe Cotinus?
     
  4. Shyzaboy

    Shyzaboy Active Member

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    Hmm. Don't think so...
     
  5. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Most of the many thousands of wild plant species still extant are found in the tropics. Probably about the only way you would happen to find the same one on the internet would be if you were looking at pages on the wild plants of the area where this one grows - and this same one happened to be shown. Where old growth forests are left in humid tropical regions there can be hundreds of plant species growing on a single small plot. Just the tree species alone can run into the hundreds, almost every individual of much size belonging to a different species.

    And it is still quite possible to encounter new, undescribed plant species in tropical forests.
     
  6. Shyzaboy

    Shyzaboy Active Member

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    I guess it is possible. Since this picture was taken within inches of a very popular hiking trail (Reef Bay trail), it would seem unlikely to be "new". Also, I doubt there is any old growth forest on St. John.
     
  7. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Does St. John have any higher education establishments with a webiste where you might be able to find a local expert to identify the pic?
     
  8. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    I mentioned climax forest in humid tropics as example of conditions there, not with the idea that you were dealing with that situation specifically.
     
  9. Shyzaboy

    Shyzaboy Active Member

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    I sent it to the University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas) extension office. We'll see...
     

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