Broad leafed plant id

[Tracy]

Looking for an id on this small tree or shrub with broad and large leaves.  The leaves were approximately 12"-14" long and 5" wide at the maximum width point.   As one can see from the photo, it was growing as an understory plant.

[Really full garden]

Tracy, I think it is Pisonia umbellifera variegata.

[Tracy]

Thank you for that.  I also just read a review from Len Geiger on his tree as a result of your post so will not be planting it { http://www.marriedtoplants.com/flowering-plants/not-plant-pisonia-umbellifera-variegata-garden/ }.  No little kids running around my garden but definitely a dog and lots of humming birds.

On 3/31/2019 at 9:37 AM, scottgt said:

Pisonia umbellifera variegata.

 

[Really full garden]

Yes, this tree has a rather sinister reputation.

[Kim]

2 hours ago, scottgt said:

Yes, this tree has a rather sinister reputation.

But not in California.   Relatively slow, and not considered a tree here. Well, unless there is something I don't know about it... which is entirely possible. I only grew it for a few years before selling that property.

[Tracy]

46 minutes ago, Kim said:

Well, unless there is something I don't know about it... which is entirely possible.

Hi Kim, you should check out Len's post on his website about his (see my link in post above).  Sounds like you need to pay a visit to your old property and see whether the current owners stuck with it (yes pun intended), or removed it.  It's a sticky subject! 

[LJG]

On 4/1/2019 at 10:34 AM, Tracy said:

Thank you for that.  I also just read a review from Len Geiger on his tree as a result of your post so will not be planting it { http://www.marriedtoplants.com/flowering-plants/not-plant-pisonia-umbellifera-variegata-garden/ }.  No little kids running around my garden but definitely a dog and lots of humming birds.

 

You will be glad you didn’t plant it. Trust me. Did you see the video I posted where it trapped a hummingbird?

[Tracy]

5 hours ago, LJG said:

You will be glad you didn’t plant it. Trust me. Did you see the video I posted where it trapped a hummingbird?

I did see that video you posted Len.  If I wasn't already there after reading your post about them getting tracked into the house on dogs paws and in kids hair (sometimes requiring impromptu hair cuts), the video of the humming bird was definitely the deal breaker!  Thanks again for sharing that very unpleasant lesson.

[Kim]

Oh, interesting! I planted it on Len's suggestion many years ago.   The things we learn over time... I can only hope the new owners cleared them out before they became a problem. They were in close proximity to some Chambeyronia macrocarpa v. Hookeri.  Let's hope they valued the red leaves over the variegated leaves. I would not plant such things so close based on what I know now. Wow, shocking. A tree that kills hummingbirds -- I wonder how the plant benefits from this extreme stickiness? How can it be worth killing off your pollinators? Kind of terrifying, actually. 

[LJG]

Kim, when writing that up and researching it, it was stated the seed pods would stick to larger birds and animals and get distributed great distances. 

Thanks for jogging my memory. I do recall making that suggestion. It’s a really pretty plant and I had no idea it had sticky fruit.