Large Leaf Seagrape/ Small with huge leaves

[bubba]

This is a seagrape specimen that I cannot locate the scientific name. It is a small bush. That is clearly a Seagrape, but not the ordinary variety.. it’s large leaves measure over one square foot:

[bubba]

The leaf close up:

[bubba]

This is a large Coccoloba uuifera/ Seagrape specimen:

[bubba]

Close up view. Nothing like that small shrub with square foot leaves:

 

[Merlyn]

@bubba that is an interesting plant.  It looks a bit like my Ficus Auriculata.  It's dark out so I can't get a picture right now.

[bubba]

This is not a ficus but some form of Seagrape:

https://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/story/news/2023/11/20/these-five-historic-trees-in-palm-beach-are-among-the-towns-coolest/71501246007/

[Keys6505]

10 hours ago, Merlyn said:

looks a bit like my Ficus Auriculata.

I was about to say the same thing.

[bubba]

Scroll the attached article detailing five (5) out of the ordinary trees in PB identified by PB arborist Maxwell. A number of other interesting specimens identified but this plant is definitely a variety of Seagrape!

[Merlyn]

@bubba the one in the PB article does look the same.  Usually I just wait for @Silas_Sancona to jump in and say it is a Coccoloba Xxxxxx v. Yyyyyyy, because he seems to know every plant on the planet.    The only one I ran across in a quick search is Coccoloba Pubescens, which seems to have about the same size leaves.  There's Gigantea, but that's more like 6 foot leaves.  I couldn't find any ID from the PB group online, so hard to guess what their plant actually is.

[bubba]

@Merlynthe specimen pictured in the article and the one in this thread are one and the same! Coccoloba pubescens it must be. Thank you!

[bubba]

https://en.hortipedia.com/Coccoloba_pubescens

[Austinpalm]

Another option might be Coccoloba rugosa.

[Marie Nock]

It's Cocolobba pubesens.  The shape of the Cocolobba rugosum leaf is different.

[Palmarum]

It is Coccoloba pubescens and a signature large plant at that. The leaves should have a covering of short fuzzy hairs hence the name. It looks like it could be a grouping of specimens or one large spreading individual. It looks as if it has been trimmed to keep its height in check.

When grown in just a bit of light shade, the leaves can get much bigger... huge even. Since the species is dioecious, and can take forever to flower, it is hard to collect seed so most propagation is from making large air-layers. After the air-layers are collected, they are often grown under shade cloth, so they form giant leaves for show. They can often emerge in a brilliant red-pink color with pronounced veins and heavy tomentum which may thin out or wear off leaving just a coating of thin hairs. An intriguing sight for plant collectors.

Nice find. It looks like a member of a public park or private grounds that are well maintained complete with a short, parterre-like hedge. 

Ryan

[bubba]

Found another Coccoloba pubescens at ANSG. It does not look very well:

[bubba]

[bubba]

Signage:

[flplantguy]

I take it the awesome huge leaves are also very cold sensitive?  It usually works that way but if they like canopy maybe they can grow in places more north of the greater miami area (between advective events)

[bubba]

These specimens are not nearly as cold sensitive as one might expect. Coccoloba uviferas (common Seagrape/large tree/second specimen identified in this thread) is listed as the same cold tolerance as C. pubescens/ Grand Leaf Seagrape at 10a. The Grand Leaf Seagrape has been reported as far north as Lakeland, Fl. according to Dave’s Garden.  However my guess is that they are harder to grow and require some real hand holding. The common Seagrape is ubiquitous and easy to grow to the point of becoming a pest, not unlike Melaleuca. It is likely that they suffer less from cold in this area and more from seawater intrusion 

The first specimen of C. pubescens is located at Bethesda-By-The-Sea Church located in PB. As shown in the picture, it has no canopy and is said to grow well in direct or somewhat sheltered sunlight. The second specimen at ANSG has heavy canopy, no direct sunlight and appears to be struggling. That struggle I surmise has nothing to do with cold tolerance but lack of proper care.

You are close to Tampa and my guess is that you could grow both of these specimens. They are not nearly as tropical as they appear.

[Jdash]

anyone know where to find C. Pubescens for sale? I've only found two vendors.

[bubba]

The only nursery that I could find was Gardino Nursery in Loxahatchee, Fl. They appear to be out of them now. You may want to give them a call at 561-985-8566. 
 

There are many nurseries in Loxahatchee and they may be able to direct you to one that has them. Very rare!

[Marie Nock]

Just found a photo of my big one - at least 30 feet tall and about 25 feet wide.  You can see it's way above the roof.

[bubba]

Wow! Thank you Marie!

[Jdash]

Here is the one at mounts botanical 

[bubba]

That is a beauty! You know know where to find seed.

[Jdash]

No clue, you need a male and a female to produce seed, have only found one specimen at a time. I think they've both been male too

[bubba]

No idea when they fruit. The specimen initiated in this thread is located at The Church of Bethesda-By-The-Sea located at 141 South County Road, Palm Beach, Fl. in the back courtyard and is readily assessable. No idea if it is male/female.

The specimen at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is not in the best shape. No idea if it is male/female. 

It may be worth giving Gardino nursery in Loxahatchee a call to discuss. Best of luck.