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ID this mystery AZ native shrub

13 years ago

We live in N. AZ (Zone 7) at 4500 feet. Can someone ID this shrub. There are several of these in the open in the vacant lot across the road. The picture shows a branch end. The largest one is about 24" tall and wide. Very attractive and unlike most of our natives. Evergreen. The slender waxy leaves are about 3" lg. Reminds me of a Japanese Yew. I'm wondering if they're volunteers from a local yard. I'd like to transplant a couple into my seminatural lot.

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Comments (9)

flora_uk
13 years ago
I would suggest trying this question on the Name That Plant Forum here on GW - it's much livelier than this one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Name That Plant
terrestrial_man
13 years ago
Looks like a milkweed to me.
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Bihai, the green Pothos is exactly like the variegated form, only it's color is different. In fact, varieg forms sometimes revert to an all green plant, and yours very likely is a reversion. The green form is faster and stronger growing since all of it's leaf surface can produce food. I don't see a lot of pinholes on the leaves in your photo, but there do seem to be a few along the midribs, highlighted by the sun in your underleaf shot. If present, these would at least identify it as an Epipremnum. I find it hard to keep from yawning in the presence of most tuberous Aroids, and Arisaemas downright put me to sleep. Many amorphophallus species are interesting in the colors and patterns of their petioles and leaves. I'm never over-impressed by their blooms, to me it's strictly a foliage plant. This genus has taken the Int'l Aroid Society growers by storm over the last many years. I think they're an interesting addition to an Aroid collection of other non-tuberous genera, but that's all. Vining Philos and Monsteras are the most fascinating of the Aroids in my opinion, for their uncanny search for height, and scandent immature and mature climbing leaf stages which can be explosively dramatic, especially in Monsteras. Russ
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USDA hardiness zones are based on an average minimum winter low temperature over a period of time, typically about 30 years. Average - not an absolute minimum low. It is highly conceivable that - on average - lows in these select pockets range in the 20-25F consistent with a zone 9a rating for any number of years before experiencing a winter weather event that may cause temps to plummet. It is the moderating influence of marine currents that governs these mild pockets. One certainly wouldn't expect to see a similarly mild condition persisting much inland. If one has issues with these zone determinations, it probably makes the most sense to pursue these issues with those who compile the appropriate weather data and formulate the zone maps rather than chastising those who are simply using them. They are after all only guidelines for plant selection, with ultimate plant hardiness based on a number of factors not considered by just average winter lows. Since moving to a somewhat protected coastal location that benefits from this marine influence after a more inland situation that was noticeably colder on average in winter (although only within a few miles of my current setting), I know that marginal zone hardy plants have fared much better with minimal to no winter damage than I would have expected at my former residence. Will they necessarily experience no winter cold damage long term? Probably not, just as any marginal zone hardy plant may experience occasional winter cold damage in any zone. But if a plant survives without issue 9 out of 10 years, then I consider it appropriately winter hardy for that specific area. Average winter lows for Victoria BC, generally recognized as having the mildest winters in Canada, is only 3C (calculated over a period of years from 1981-2010) or around 37F, most definitely fitting the zone 9a classification.
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dwpc
Original Author
13 years ago
An unfortunate name for a lovely plant. I found many basic descriptions, but little on care. Do you know if it will transplant easily? Here's a photo showing whole bush
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
13 years ago
If it's a milkweed, it's an Asclepias. I don't know which one it would be, don't recognize it at all. There are a few dozen, but probably only a few that would occur on their own in AZ. One characteristic is white milky sap. But that's also a characteristic of Euphorbias. HTH you narrow it down.

As for care, it doesn't seem to need any. It should make some kind of seed pods but they may already be gone this year. Generally, as plants with long tap roots, Asclepias are known for resenting transplanting.
linda_tx8
13 years ago
Most milkweeds will have that white latex sap if you cut a leaf or stem. And BTW, be careful with that sap...some people have rashes if they come in contact with it. It could also cause a serious eye problem if any of it accidentally gets in your eyes. Wash your hands or skin well if you have contact with the sap. Ask me how I know that...
There's exceptions to the milkweed resisting transplanting rule, but yes, almost all are very difficult to transplant.
terrestrial_man
13 years ago
The plants should grow rather easily from seed. Just collect seed pods that are beginning to break open.
In AZ there are 30 native species! Here is the list:
A. albicans, A. angustifolia,
A. asperula, A. brachystephana,
A. cryptoceras, A. cutleri,
A. englemanniana, A. erosa,
A. glaucescens, A. hallii,
A. hyperleuca, A. involucrata,
(A. latifolia), A. lemmonii,
(A. linaria), A. macrotis,
A. nummularia, (A. nyctaginifolia),
A. oenotheroides, A. quinquedentata,
A. rusbyi, A. scaposa,
(A. speciosa), (A. subulata),
A. subverticillata, (A. tuberosa) ?? ,
A. uncialis, A. verticillata,
A. viridiflora, A. welshii

The names in ( ) are not your plant but
A. tuberosa looks very close and may be ??
This info is compiled from the USDA and CalPhoto databases.

Here is a link that might be useful: USDA database on Asclepias
linda_tx8
13 years ago
It doesn't look like Asclepias tuberosa to me. Leaves in the pic are too narrow for that one.
William Kelly
8 years ago
@dwpc are those milkweed plants still growing?
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
one can grow many milkweeds from cuttings also. You could take the list above and go through and cross off what it is not. also , some milkweeds that grow into a loose clump of stolons will grow from an uprooted stolen.

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cold stratification?

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