Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Plant Identification => Plant Identification Questions and Answers => Topic started by: Jim McKenney on July 11, 2015, 09:46:49 PM

Title: Mystery plant
Post by: Jim McKenney on July 11, 2015, 09:46:49 PM

I've already circulated the images in question on several lists, and so far no one has come up with an answer. I think the plant is growing in a Virginia garden. I have not seen it myself; these pictures are all the information I have.

Title: Re: Mystery plant
Post by: Jim McKenney on July 11, 2015, 09:48:18 PM

Oops! Here's another image which might help.

Title: Re: Mystery plant
Post by: Maggi Young on July 12, 2015, 12:06:43 PM

I thought at first I recognised this plant - not that my poor remaining brain cells could recall a name then - but now I see the size/scale of the leaf I am thrown back into confusion.   My first thought was that there is a resemblance to Pachysandra terminalis- but  with more rounded leaves - but the full pic of the leaf  belies that connection, I fear.

Title: Re: Mystery plant
Post by: Jupiter on July 12, 2015, 12:29:55 PM

I'm pretty sure I've walked past it in Adelaide Botanic Gardens hundreds of times but I can't for the life of me drag the name out of my muddled mind. I should be heading in there soon but I hope someone solves it for you before then.

Title: Re: Mystery plant
Post by: fermi de Sousa on July 12, 2015, 01:59:25 PM

The leaf looks like an Akebia on steroids!
cheers
fermi

Title: Re: Mystery plant
Post by: Jupiter on July 12, 2015, 10:30:17 PM

THis has been bugging me so I got on Google and hit the trail. I think I've narrowed it down to a member of the Araliaceae, some of the Neopanax are similar. Here the trail goes cold. I think Ivy family is right though, what do you think?

Title: Re: Mystery plant
Post by: Jim McKenney on July 12, 2015, 10:46:23 PM

Yes, Jupiter, it does have an araliaceous look, and some members of the genus Pseudopanax come close. But all the ones I've seen have a serrated edge to the leaf and/or a pointed tip to the leaf.  It also has a vitaceous look, but again all of the near matches have the serrated leaf edge and/or a pointed tip. 
I tried hard to make it an Akebia, but that so far has not worked either. :-\
Please keep trying everyone!

Title: Re: Mystery plant
Post by: Jupiter on July 12, 2015, 10:51:41 PM

Hi Jim, yes I was on the Vitaceae trail for a while but abandoned that due to the veining on the leaflets.

Title: Re: Mystery plant
Post by: Maggi Young on July 15, 2015, 08:20:15 PM

Don't think the leaves are right for Akebia, nor Parthenocissus, which could also have palmate leaves  - but anyway , these are climbers - this shows no sign of climbing at all as far as I can see  :-\

Title: Re: Mystery plant
Post by: arisaema on August 19, 2015, 01:34:48 PM

I'll bump this as I'm still stumped - and curious!