I have a mystery that I hope someone can solve for me.
The company we use at work for the majority of our office supplies sent us a plant a back a few years ago (2008?) . It was very small, so they could mail it in a small box. no more then 6" tall and the pot was maybe 2" in dia.
There was no literature with it, so I didn't know what kind of plant it was or how to care for it.
My office has north windows, and set it on the counter by the window. It has been there summer and winter since I got it.
I repotted it last year into a larger pot. and took some pictures to a greenhouse, but they weren't much help. It was thought it was a bamboo, but it ?????
So I decided to take some more pictures today and ask all of you if you know.
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| I held up some of the leaves so you can get a look at the stems, this is the first year they are starting to look a bit woody. there are small plants starting every so often |
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| I took a close up of the leaves in hopes that would help. |
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| Here is a look at the top of the tallest branches, just in the last couple of months, they have started to branch out. |
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| Another look at the branching |
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| You can see how tall it has gotten, it is about 30" now. |
thanks
I don't know what it is, but I have sent photos to the Minnesota University Extension Master Gardener program to ask questions before - maybe a program like that could help? You probably asked the office supply company already - but that would be something I would forget to do :)
ReplyDeleteI once asked the rep for their company about it, she was clueless, didn't even know that plants had been sent. I know it came from them because the plant pot had their name on it.
DeleteI think your mystery plant might be a type of ficus. Possibly Ficus Alii. Not positive by any means, but it looks similar to one I had at work a couple of years ago. That one was tree form, yours looks like it is bush form...but have seen a variety of different versions with slightly different leaves and growing habits. They are pretty hardy and easy to grow, less likely to loose their leaves than the Ficus Benjamina that most people think of when they hear ficus.
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie, I will do some checking on that.
DeleteI agree about the ficus family, especially if the leaves have a bit of a waxy feel and seep a white sticky "milk" when injured or broken off.
ReplyDeleteIf the leaves are a stiff ridgid to touch, it might be in the laurel family (think bay leaves) and have a pungent aroma when rolled between fingers.
Hi Jeanette, the leaves are waxy feeling, but do not exude any juice white or otherwise if torn ~ I just tried it.
DeleteAlso the leaves have no smell, I use bay leaves in cooking so have an idea of that smell, but no.