What is this Florida tree/plant with green fruits and cuneate leaves?
March 10, 2017 3:23 PM Subscribe
I've been trying for weeks to identify a Florida tree for my mom from a photo, and I'm stymied. Can you help figure out what type of plant this is? Tampa, Florida. March 3, 2017.
This is the only photo I have. I never have this much trouble finding the right plant name for her, but I have been searching endlessly for a match with no luck. Thanks!
This is the only photo I have. I never have this much trouble finding the right plant name for her, but I have been searching endlessly for a match with no luck. Thanks!
Best answer: Or maybe Pittosporum tobira.
I think it's a pittosporum, though.
posted by purpleclover at 3:48 PM on March 10, 2017
I think it's a pittosporum, though.
posted by purpleclover at 3:48 PM on March 10, 2017
Wait, no I think I'm wrong because of the fruit arrangement. I withdraw pittosporum.
posted by purpleclover at 6:49 PM on March 10, 2017
posted by purpleclover at 6:49 PM on March 10, 2017
Response by poster: Thanks, purpleclover! You put me on the right track!
I don't think it's a Pittosporum tobira (which is apparently the only Pittosporum that's normally cultivated in the US southeast.) Its leaves are situated more in a rosette at the end of a branch, which doesn't quite fit. The arrangement of the fruit is also too much like a cluster, whereas the fruit in my mom's sample is on a branch by itself (which I only saw just now; it's two branches laid next to each other - one with leaves and one with fruits), and the fruit is too round.
However!! I did a google image search on P. tobira and it was close enough that I found a match, finally! I believe it's a Carrotwood (Cupaniopsis anacardioides) tree (AKA Beach Tamarind/tuckeroo), which is a recognized invasive species in Florida. It fits with the alternating leaves on one branch, and the other being a bare branch with fruits.
I would never have found that by myself, though, so thanks!!
posted by gemmy at 6:49 PM on March 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
I don't think it's a Pittosporum tobira (which is apparently the only Pittosporum that's normally cultivated in the US southeast.) Its leaves are situated more in a rosette at the end of a branch, which doesn't quite fit. The arrangement of the fruit is also too much like a cluster, whereas the fruit in my mom's sample is on a branch by itself (which I only saw just now; it's two branches laid next to each other - one with leaves and one with fruits), and the fruit is too round.
However!! I did a google image search on P. tobira and it was close enough that I found a match, finally! I believe it's a Carrotwood (Cupaniopsis anacardioides) tree (AKA Beach Tamarind/tuckeroo), which is a recognized invasive species in Florida. It fits with the alternating leaves on one branch, and the other being a bare branch with fruits.
I would never have found that by myself, though, so thanks!!
posted by gemmy at 6:49 PM on March 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
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posted by Skipjack at 3:43 PM on March 10, 2017