Plant ID in South Florida

[ckromulus]

Hello all,

I am looking to extend scooter's outdoor enclosure but there is a large privacy shrub and I do not know if it is safe to keep in there. I live just south of west palm beach so I'm assuming this is a commonly used privacy screen in the area. Does anybody know what this is and if it is safe for the tort?

 

[Yvonne G]

I don't know what it is, but it looks like some sort of fig. Cut off a branch and take it to a plant nursery. They will be able to I.D. it for you.

 

[Jenblalock003]

I have an app that might have an answer. I'll try it out and let you know.

 

[Jenblalock003]

http://gardencompassapp.appspot.com/landing/5202909390176256

 

[Jenblalock003]

Try that

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Make sure it's not oleander.

 

[Scm133]

Just curious since I live in Florida.....did you find out what it is?

 

[ckromulus]

Yes..coco plum otherwise known as tortoise apple!! It's safe

 

[ckromulus]

However, scooter completely if ignores it...go figure

 

[steam roller]

Looks to me like Coco Plum; does it sometimes get berries the size of olives? Not sure if its tortoise safe.

 

[steam roller]

Alternate leaves and a Florida Native.

 

[ckromulus]

Yes it does and it is also known as gopher apples Bc the fruit is a favorite to gopher tortoises

 

[steam roller]

Good to know I can feed them to our sulcatta. The fruit is much smaller than apples more like olives, I have several in the yard. I tried him on several different flowers, he rejected some but chowed down on others which made me wonder if they have an instinctual rejection of some plants over other. Hibiscus is a definite favorite.

 

[ckromulus]

Yeah I noticed how much smaller they were as well..abt the size of olives is a good way to put it