QUIZ

It strikes easily from cuttings. Huge leaves for the genus. I do know what it is. Do you?

Comments

Sat, 10/01/2011 - 2:35pm

Well, if nobody wants to try I'll give you some more facts. The spent flowers of a Buddleia davidii have nothing to do with the leaves, just to compare size.
The plant in question becomes a small tree but most gardenworthy plants of the genus are small shrubs.

Sat, 10/01/2011 - 2:41pm
Hoy wrote:

Well, if nobody wants to try I'll give you some more facts. The spent flowers of a Buddleia davidii have nothing to do with the leaves, just to compare size.
The plant in question becomes a small tree but most gardenworthy plants of the genus are small shrubs.

Well, it's not from the lack of interest... I'm intrigued but also stumped!  Been thinking about it :)

Looks sort of like a Polygonum species, but those aren't usually small trees.

Sat, 10/01/2011 - 10:22pm

All I can say is it certainly doesn't grow around here (Minnesota)....

Could it be related to the Croton (Codiaeum)?

Sun, 10/02/2011 - 3:38am

Neither Polygonum nor Croton.
Here is a Croton relative (I believe), Rick:

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The plant is native to China. The genus is known for showy male and female flowers in tight clusters on separate plants often before the plants leave out. The leaves can achieve a length of 25cm on this species, but the norm is in the opposite end of the scale.

 

Thu, 10/06/2011 - 8:10am

Now that you say it, I do see.  But the buds are uncharacteristic to the genus, in my opinion, and I don't think I would have ever guessed it.  I've never heard of a Salix species with buds that diverge so prominently from the stem.  Darn it, and I thought I knew everything...    :rolleyes: