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Plant identification => Plant identification => Topic started by: MikeHardman on October 31, 2016, 10:35:22 PM

Title: Street tree in Crete ID'd by Mike Hardman himself as Ficus microcarpa
Post by: MikeHardman on October 31, 2016, 10:35:22 PM

Good folks of the MGS,

I have been trying to ID a tree on the Natural History Museum's NaturePlus forum
- http://www.nhm.ac.uk/natureplus/message/90690?fromGateway=true

I thought it was going to be a Ficus, but now that seems in doubt.

Any ideas?

Thanks for looking,
Mike

Title: Re: mystery street tree in Crete
Post by: JayB on November 01, 2016, 11:52:15 AM

Could it possibly be a Phytolacca dioica or Ombu tree?

Title: Re: mystery street tree in Crete
Post by: Hilary on November 01, 2016, 12:38:59 PM

Mike, Hi there,
It looks a bit like the trees quite near here, one block from the sea.
I identified it as Ficus retusa

I had asked the owner/ planter what their name was and he told me Ροδίτικος which on searching turned out to be the above mentioned.

The photo was taken in September 2011 and they are looking very strong now.

I seem to remember some very impressive ones in the town of Cos.

Title: Re: mystery street tree in Crete
Post by: JayB on November 01, 2016, 03:04:38 PM

The reason I suggested P. dioica was the mention of the small green berries and the tree can look like a ficus with its root system and leaves. I guess the berries could of been underdeveloped ficus fruit, they are full of lots of seeds.

I would say that the full tree does look like the trees planted in the street here which I'm sure are F. benjamina, the new pictures posted from google Earth really do look the same and they are certainly commonly used by councils at least here in Spain anyway.
That is my new guess.

F. microcarpia & retusa tend to grow out to be huge trees often with airial roots and large root systems which is why they are commonly used as bonsai for the effect. F. benjamina is regarded as a plain looking Ficus.

Title: Re: mystery street tree in Crete
Post by: MikeHardman on November 01, 2016, 11:13:13 PM

Thank you Jay.

Here in Cyprus, we have Ff. benjamina, microcarpa, elastica and lyrata (that I have seen by roadsides).

My guess happens to be F. microcarpa (less pointed leaves).
At least at the monent...

Mike

Title: Re: mystery street tree in Crete
Post by: MikeHardman on December 28, 2016, 09:17:23 AM

I had a short break in northern Cyprus over Christmas, and I came across some street trees looking very much like the one in question. I am sure these are Ficus microcarpa - leaves about 10cm long (6-15), some signs of aerial roots, small fruit, plain light grey bark, obtuse leaf tips, etc.

Hilary, I note that F. retusa (leaf tips different) is apparently often misapplied to F. microcarpa.

I attach photos showing Ff. microcarpa and retusa for comparison, for the benefit of future readers.

Thanks for your contributions.

Mike