AusBonsai

Hi there crazy kids!!! I have a specimen that I THOUGHT might be a species of Viburnum but the more I research the more I think I might be way off. The cutting was taken off a tree in Bondi Junction which was approx 3-4 metres high. It is currently flowering but not much and the flowers are mildly fragrant and have 5 petals. Leaf margins are serrated similar to a camellia. The flowers actually remind of those found on a Cotoneaster Horizontalis although the fragrance is different. The shape of the leaf is what leads me to believe (more than any other feature) that it may not be a species of viburnum.

Thankyou for your attention. This transmission ends ......now

Identification solved
By Mojo Moyogi - Photinia robusta

Are the stems squarish?

Joel

Joel wrote:Are the stems squarish?

Joel

Hi Joel, Well, the best way to describe the narrow green stems leading up to the flowers is that one side is flatter than the other. The stem is definitely not perfectly round.
I've noticed that the leaves can vary significantly in shape as you can see in the photos. Leaf margins are serrated similar to a camellia.

Do you have any initial suspicions?

John

Hi Jester,
I think the plant in question is a Photinia not sure which species, possibly P.robusta. It is from the Rose family, which is probably why the flowers resemble Cotoneaster.
The samples you have collected do look a bit like Viburnum tinus, but the leaf venation and inflorescence different.

Cheers,
Mojo

Mojo , you are a legend!!! Must be all that "Mojo" you have You have just saved me a lot of time. Thanks mate (God I love this forum!!!!)

Hi Jester,

Nice work Mojo!

No i did not know what it was. I asked about square stems because this trait is common in 2 families. Thought it might limit it down.

Photinia is often sold as "Super Hedge" because it makes a great dense hedge with bright red new growth. I have heard it can be used as bonsai and its leaves reduce. It may be possible to find older specimens in hedges.

Joel

The new growth on Photinia is nearly always pink/maroon/red, whereas viburnum is nearly always green.

Hi Josh and Joel, thatnks for that info. I was'nt actually aware that photinia made for a nice hedge, so there you go.