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Name That Plant!

Yellow flowering shrub identification!

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Need help identifying this adorable yellow shrub (possibly small tree)? It’s growing amongst a sheared hedge so not sure of it’s full size – currently about 6′ tall.

Serrated leaves, small yellow flowers about 1-1.5″ diameter – i’m in Los Angeles area most likely zone 8 or 9.

Would love to know what it is! Thank you for any help!

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

6 years ago

Previously identified on another thread as Ochna serrulata , aka Mickey Mouse Plant. Flowers will eventually develop into bright red sepals and dark berries will form, producing something that looks very much like the face of Mickey Mouse :-)

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Comments (10)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
6 years ago
Bumping. I'm really curious. It's so distinctive someone must know.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
is it currently blooming???
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Embothrium
6 years ago
It finally came to me - it's Ochna.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Ha, the name Micky Mouse plant came to my mind too but I was so sure I was wrong I didn't even look it up to check.
Embothrium
6 years ago
I opened the thread at least twice before I finally remembered the name.
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
6 years ago
Nice photos for ID!
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
6 years ago
Yes. Great pictures. Read it's become invasive in NZ and Australia. What's the status in LA?
gyr_falcon
6 years ago
I missed that this was double-posted, or I would have added the id here, too.

Ochna does not seem to be a problem plant in SoCal--the name does not appear on the usual problem lists as even a potential issue. Although it reseeds easily, and the birds can disperse the seed, they have not taken hold, possibly due to the lack of regular water/long, dry summers. This is not a widely planted landscape shrub here. Although it reseeds easily in the immediate vicinity around the existing shrubs in my garden, the seedlings are so very slow to get going that they never become a control problem. I have some seedlings that are 2-3 years old, and even with encouragement to grow, are still at or under 6". Once they hit about 20", or if they have access to more fertile soil and adequate irrigation, they tend to grow more quickly.
Embothrium
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
This is common, many kinds of plants produce seedlings with tops that don't take off until the roots get some size. And are subject to drought during their early years. Ironically, desert cactus seedlings are unusually prone to drying out, can't really get going in the wild unless they happen to come up where they are protected by something like rocks.

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