Sunday, June 19, 2011

Mystery Plant - Upton State Forest

Anyone recognize this? It's leaf configuration is so tropical, like rhododendron or rubber plant:

8 comments :

Geophile said...

Possibly a young rhododendron? They're common in the woods here. Or, depending on the size of the leaves, because it's hard to tell from here, maybe something else in that family like mountain laurel or lambkill.

pwax said...

Not rhododendron or laurel but could well be Lambkill. I thought you might have the answer.

pwax said...

But I see that Lambkill's range does not fit Upton MA.

Anonymous said...

If not a rhododendron, perhaps a young magnolia.

pwax said...

A reasonable guess, as the leaves are Magnolia shaped. But I am not aware of any members of that family growing like this in the area.

JimP said...

Why is this not a young rhododendron like this one:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29287337@N02/3550817543/

If I compare the bunch of leaves at the bottom of your first photo to the above link, they look practically identical.

pwax said...

But leaves were not as glossy as the rhododendron's. Also they were not quite so pointy.

Geophile said...

Wish I could see it. It's very hard to tell thickness, gloss, exact shade and texture from photos. Watch it if you go back there, for signs of bloom. (If you would)