Fun new plant identification

[utt]

Hello All

I just moved into a new apartment and came across this poor discarded plant/shrub.* I took it in, re-potted it, and gave it some food and water.* Its doing great!* Problem is I dont know what it is and would like to care for it properly instead of just winging it.* Ive had a terrible time trying to identify it using google.*

Please help wise ones!

Thanks


Description:* simple round alternating leaves.* about 4 main thin woody stalks.* the leaves appear to turn purplish toward the end of the branch.* can provide more pictures if necessary.

[Newt]

Hi Utt,

Congratulations on your new home!* I found your picture a bit difficult to see with the light from behind the tree, but it looks to be in pretty good shape.* I think your tree might be Clusia rosea aka autograph tree aka pitch apple.* Is this your tree?
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/i...sia_rosea.html
http://floridagardener.com/FLNatives/ClusiaRosea.htm

If not, look at Ficus diversifolia aka mistletoe fig.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/i...ersifolia.html
http://www.botanypictures.com/planti...%20HK%20bg.jpg

Newt

[utt]

thanks so much for the reply... i think thos leaves are a little thicker and waxier than what ive got... i think we are on the right track in the ficus family though... this picture should give you a good look at the leaves.* its really responded to the tlc ive given it... new stalk growing from the ground and the new leaves growing have little clear sap on them.

i hope this picture helps , and thanks for your wisdom and insight.

[Newt]

I just realized that you posted this in the 'Shrubs' forum and not in the 'Houseplants' forum or 'Plant Identification' forum, so I'm wondering if you found this plant as a houseplant or could it possibly be an outdoor shrub?

I still can't tell from the picture.* I'm not sure if another picture that has the light in front of the plant instead of behind it would be helpful for me at this point.* Do you have any pictures with no light behind the plant?

Newt

[utt]

Newt

Here's another attempt at posting a picture... you will notice that some leaves are green while others are purplish (mostly toward the end of the branchs)

I don't know if its technically a houseplant or a shrub... I found it in a room next to a trash shoot... just thought i could give it a good home.* It seems to be doing quite well... new leaves budding, and a new shoot sprouting.

Thanks for all your time and help

[Newt]

Utt, you are very welcome.* I appreciate you posting a better pic of the leaves, but I still can't figure out what it is.* Somehow it looks familiar, but at this point I've probably spent 2 hours searching and I still can't id it for sure.* I'm guessing you are in the US and this is traditionally an outdoor shrub that someone brought indoors.* My other guess would be a member of the Cotinus family aka smoke tree aka smoke bush.* There's a purple variety that would grow in a similar fashion with regard to leaf color if it were not grown outdoors in full sun.* Take a look at these sites to see if any of these pics fit.* They are in different stages of purple.* There is also an all green variety.
http://www.nzplantpics.com/pics_shru...a_grace_02.jpg
http://www.nzplantpics.com/pics_shru...e_small_02.jpg
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/pre...6/50220991.JPG
http://www.gcnursery.co.uk/pics/Cotinus%20coggygria%20'Royal%20Purple'.jpg
http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/coti_cog.cfm


If that's not it or you aren't sure, try asking the folks at the UBC Botanical Gardens. There are several botanists that answer questions there.* They are located in British Columbia, Canada. The first link is their main forums page and the second is where you should post your pic and question.* Be sure to let them know where you live.
http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/fo...ffb27b3a8f929&
http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/fo...a75746027&f=38

I'd love to know what they say.
Newt