Trees in Turkey / Cyprus

I've just had my sister on the phone from Germany asking for advice. Not that I can be any assistance as I've never been to Turkey or Cyprus ... but for those of you who have, here's the question ...

She has brought back pips (no, stones rather like an almond but smooth) which she found on the ground and the shrub / tree is about 2,5 - 3 metres tall. It has leaves like a maple and pink double flowers, rather rose looking. She goes there between October and March.

Anybody got a clue what she's talking about?

Many thanks in advance.

 

Haven't got a clue, never been there, but I like a mystery.
Are the seeds the same size and shape as an unshelled almond?
What month was it in flower?
Wild guess, a hibiscus of some kind, seed sounds a bit large though.

 

Mystery it still be ... what about you Turkish / Cypriot holidaymakers with flora knowledge ????

 

A photo of the seeds would help although not necessarily answer the question. I have been to cyprus a few times but I tend to stay on the beach during the day, restaurant and bar in the evening.

 

A good place to be, Hans, on holiday but there are those out there who flora and fauna spot :D :D I haven't "holidayed" in about eight years so I wouldn't know what to do :D :D :D

 

I will be F&F spotting Lol so I will be looking out for it.

 

Many thanks, Strongy ... Sis now has some of these things sprouting and says they remind her of her red peach tree seedlings ???? :D :D

 

Hello, Strongy. In looking for something else just now I came upon the following site and am amazed as the number of Abutilon with maple-shaped leaves. I think this may have been the shrub / tree in question ... maybe the Ashford Red or Cerise Queen.

http://www.malvaceae.info/Genera/Abutilon/galleryH.html

Did you spot anything in particular on your travels?

 

hI LoL, I did see a shrub/tree in the hotel grounds similar to the one you mentioned but as it had no flowers or seed pods I couldn't tell what it was. It had grown to about 15 feet with long spindly branches.
Did see some Frangipannis, mainly white with a few yellows, I guess this would be about as far north they could grow, any in the Algarve?

 

Yes, they do grow here and I would LOVE one but sadly no room! :(

 

Lol, does your jacaranda flower intermitently through the summer? This was opposite our balcony in Olu Deniz.

I can understand that you have no room for a plumeria as they can grow very large, shame though. :(

 

No, they (I have two) don't. They flowered this year from April through June .. three whole months, it was fantastic! However, last year in October some (not ours) flowered and it was unheard of! I'll see what I've got of mine in flower ... they are so superb!

What a lovely view you had .... looks lush!

 

Is that bananas strongy?

 

yes Pete, they were a bit overgrown around the pool, must have blocked the light out of some windows. Below the jacaranda was a white plumeria.
On a more disappointing note(to me) was that Washingtonias were replacing phoenix dactylifera everywhere, in Turkey and N Cyprus, there were avenues of them, every hotel had them, I still prefer the more majestic native date palm but the only reason I can think of is that they take up less room and maybe grow faster. BTW I have some Bauhinia and acacia longifolia seeds if you want some.
Do you remember the albizia/acacia I post a pic of with the small round flowers? it was growing everywhere, seeding itself eveywhere but I still don't know what it is!

 

The Washintonias are taking over here as well, Strongy, probably for the same reason ... mainly at new hotels and developments.

I hate to ask (no I don't) ... if you have two or three extra Bauhinia seeds, could I impose for my Bonsais? I have five Albizias up now at three weeks old, quite large actually, must take pics.

I have a Jac growing in one of my pots ... seeded itself, so I'm letting it grow till I can pot it on for a Bonsai as I stupidly lost mine through neglect last year!

Describe the unknown Albizia/Acacia to me or tell me where you posted the pic and perhaps I can identify it.