Dear sir, How extremely kind of you to add so much info about this plant. I am just thrilled!
It was found in Equador! I believe Ayenia flexuosa fits it pretty well in every way...leaf shape, fruits, the zig zag green square stem etc. It seems to have been transferred from *Byttneria flexuosa in 2018.* https://grokipedia.com/page/ayenia_flexuosa I have never heard of Grokipedia before! *Grokipedia* is an AI-generated <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generative_artificial_intelligence> online encyclopedia <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_encyclopedia> operated by the American company xAI <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XAI_(company)>. The site was launched on October 27, 2025. *On i nats tlink that you added ....... there is a pic which seems to show the same green square stem.* https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/190040-Byttneria-flexuosa I am extremely grateful for your help and time. THANK YOU. Apologies for delay in replying, just home from holiday "Gardens In Southern India" with Brightwater. Lots more pics to be id/labelled. Holiday wonderful but sadly far too short! warmest wishes. Sheila. ================================================= On Thursday, 5 February 2026 at 11:41:30 UTC Saroj Kumar Kasaju wrote: > *Ayenia flexuosa *(Killip) Christenh. & Byng ?? > https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77183809-1 > https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/912320263 > > https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.inaturalist.org%2Ftaxa%2F190040-Byttneria-flexuosa&ved=0CBYQjRxqFwoTCLitx6OiwpIDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAK&opi=89978449 > > Thank you > Saroj Kasaju > > ---------- Forwarded message --------- > From: Plantaholic Sheila. <[email protected]> > Date: Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 12:43:55 AM UTC+5:45 > Subject: Re: [itpmods:16845] Fwd: [efloraofindia:424053] MYSTERY SHRUB > 23rd Feb 2022...SS > To: eFloraofIndia <[email protected]> > > > > I understand. > I have also id plants on id forums several years later. > Some plants can just gnaw away....needing that light bulb moment. > On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 4:07:40 AM UTC+1 JM Garg wrote: > > Thanks, Pankaj ji. > Same happening with Efi. I sometime give identification of a plant posted > in 2007 i.e. after 15 years and members are surprised to get response after > 15 years. > > -- > With regards, > J. M. Garg > > On Mon, 30 May, 2022, 8:20 am Pankaj Kumar, <[email protected]> wrote: > > I usually do not check mails attached with the images and then I very > often miss if there is already a name attached below. But I read this and > hence, decided to respond to it. > > Two things: > 1. With what you assumed to be enough for identification, even people at > Wakethrust couldn't reach a solid conclusion. I am just a small potato. > 2. Having said all those things about yourself, you are underestimating > yourself if you think you are not a botanist. Once while on a hike with a > legend, I was told that people are born to do botany, irrespective of them > being trained or not trained. Few years back one girl sent me a picture of > a plant which looked like an orchid. I kept that for 5 years thinking it to > be a new genus because I knew it did not match with any orchid I knew. > There was nothing I could do with a single pic and I asked her to find it > again but in vain. And then one day someone sent the image of the same > plant from Vietnam. I asked my Vietnamese friend to dissect it, only to > realise that it was not an orchid but a ginger. But for 5 years that plant > remained in my head as an orchid and when she replied back to the girl she > was so surprised that I was still looking for an id for her plant after so > many years. And we became very good friends. > > Best of luck. > Pankaj > > > ----------- > Thank you......I am EXTREMELY /ACUTELY aware of this. > Sadly on a cruise the landing may be just 2 hours..time is precious. > I want to see as much as possible..the landscape, scenery, the birds as > well as the new to me plants. > I never have the luxury of spending 10 mins recording each plant...nor do > I ever carry a note book. > My tiny point and shoot Canon Ixus camera is all I ever use. > > I have been VERY fortunate to visit several very remote places and know I > will never get a 2nd chance to revisit. > Even if I did the chance of finding the plant again is remote. > Which is why I try to be very observant and to take images to aid with id > later. > I call it my homework...I take it very seriously. > I hate to misname any of my pictures. > Sometimes I take more pics but they are out of focus and have to be > deleted..everything is a rush on these magical holidays. > > I am very aware of taking images to show details . to aid with id....such > as alternate v opposite leaves/flowers./fruits/bark..any other features > that back in UK will help me to add an accurate name. > If plants are vines I take pics of tendrils or twisted stems. > To my very best recollection this was a free standing shrub/young tree. > > My 5 images above I feel are not too bad. .. > they show alternate leaves, the shape of the leaves, the length of the > stalks, the veins, the leaf texture above and below, the fruits, the stem > , the glands. > I thought this would be so easy to get an instant id. > Many identifications can be done from a lot less. > > At home it is easy..if I need more pics I can pop back to have a closer > look. > > I am at heart a gardener with a passion for plants. > I try to add to my knowledge on my travels. > I do not profess to be a botanist...which is why I love forums where > people far cleverer than me give freely of their time to assist. > In turn I can often help other with identifications. > Every day is a school day! > ------------------- > > On Sat, 28 May 2022 at 08:41, J.M. Garg <[email protected]> wrote: > > Thanks, Sheila ji > -- > With regards, > J. M. Garg > > On Sat, 28 May, 2022, 2:49 am Plantaholic Sheila., <[email protected]> > wrote: > > Many thanks for the help from all in this group! > > Nothing ventured nothing gained. > I had the cheek to write to Kew a good while ago! > I have just received a very kind, helpful e mail... > Hurray...after 3 years I have finely got the answer...see below > It ties in perfectly with Dr Pankaj Kumar answer > > > ................................................................................................. > > Quote from Kew. > "Thank you for your email and I apologise for taking so long to get back > to you. I haven’t been able to get a definitive answer but one of our > scientists has said that she thinks it looks most like a Byttneria species > in the Malvaceae family. > I hope that helps! > Kind regards > *Toni Risebro* > > Science Services Support Officer > > Science Services and Laboratories > > > Millennium Seed Bank, Wakehurst > > Ardingly, Haywards Heath, RH17 6TN" > ............................................................... > On Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 9:43:26 AM UTC+1 Plantaholic Sheila. wrote: > > Thank you......I am EXTREMELY /ACUTELY aware of this. > Sadly on a cruise the landing may be just 2 hours..time is precious. > I want to see as much as possible..the landscape, scenery, the birds as > well as the new to me plants. > I never have the luxury of spending 10 mins recording each plant...nor do > I ever carry a note book. > My tiny point and shoot Canon Ixus camera is all I ever use. > > I have been VERY fortunate to visit several very remote places and know I > will never get a 2nd chance to revisit. > Even if I did the chance of finding the plant again is remote. > Which is why I try to be very observant and to take images to aid with id > later. > I call it my homework...I take it very seriously. > I hate to misname any of my pictures. > Sometimes I take more pics but they are out of focus and have to be > deleted..everything is a rush on these magical holidays. > > I am very aware of taking images to show details . to aid with id....such > as alternate v opposite leaves/flowers./fruits/bark..any other features > that back in UK will help me to add an accurate name. > If plants are vines I take pics of tendrils or twisted stems. > To my very best recollection this was a free standing shrub/young tree. > > My 5 images above I feel are not too bad. .. > they show alternate leaves, the shape of the leaves, the length of the > stalks, the veins, the leaf texture above and below, the fruits, the stem > , the glands. > I thought this would be so easy to get an instant id. > Many identifications can be done from a lot less. > > At home it is easy..if I need more pics I can pop back to have a closer > look. > > I am at heart a gardener with a passion for plants. > I try to add to my knowledge on my travels. > I do not profess to be a botanist...which is why I love forums where > people far cleverer than me give freely of their time to assist. > In turn I can often help other with identifications. > Every day is a school day! > > On Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 1:44:33 AM UTC+1 Dr Pankaj Kumar wrote: > > I say again, please remember that this genus has lianas too. That's why I > always say take multiple pics from multiple angles, like Saroj sir. In > botany please do not take it for granted that you will get a second chance > to visit the plant to take pictures once again, especially when you are > travelling. > Best of luck. > Pankaj > > On Wed, 25 May 2022 at 08:37, J.M. Garg <[email protected]> wrote: > > Thanks, Sheila ji > > -- > With regards, > J. M. Garg > > On Wed, 25 May, 2022, 3:17 am Plantaholic Sheila., <[email protected]> > wrote: > > So sorry. > Not had a chance to search this. > Found image on www of Byttneria parviflora..with square stem!!!! > Still checking. > Looks hopeful. > > https://ecuador.inaturalist.org/taxa/801735-Byttneria-parviflora > > > > On Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 10:01:40 AM UTC+1 Dr Pankaj Kumar wrote: > > Look closely! > > > On Saturday, May 21, 2022, J.M. Garg <[email protected]> wrote: > > I find the fruits of > <https://www.google.com/search?q=Byttneria&rlz=1C1SQJL_enIN948IN948&sxsrf=ALiCzsZle5_g374eMi-F2E58pXSL3M7R9Q:1653120082518&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiOl6iakPD3AhVKEIgKHQF2Bu8Q_AUoAXoECAIQAw>Byttneria > > to be a little different > <https://www.google.com/search?q=Byttneria&rlz=1C1SQJL_enIN948IN948&sxsrf=ALiCzsZle5_g374eMi-F2E58pXSL3M7R9Q:1653120082518&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiOl6iakPD3AhVKEIgKHQF2Bu8Q_AUoAXoECAIQAw> > . > > On Tue, 17 May 2022 at 13:11, J.M. Garg <[email protected]> wrote: > > Thanks, Sheila ji > > On Tue, 17 May 2022 at 13:03, Plantaholic Sheila. <[email protected]> > wrote: > > Dr Pankaj Kumar > 6:01 AM (2 hours ago) > > to JM Garg, efloraofindia, Plantaholic Sheila. > One of my friend says this could be Byttneria. Please check the Malvaceae > database for Africa. > Pankaj > ===================================================== > > Thank you Dr Pankaj Kumar...this is a new plant to me i will do more > research. > ======================================================== > > On Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 8:31:27 AM UTC+1 Plantaholic Sheila. wrote: > > From: *Pankaj Kumar* <[email protected] <https://groups.google.com/>> > Date: Tue, 17 May, 2022, 6:20 am > Subject: Re: [itpmods:16846] Fwd: [efloraofindia:422794] MYSTERY SHRUB > 23rd Feb 2022...SS > To: itpmods <[email protected] <https://groups.google.com/>> > > > Are you sure it is not a climber? > ===================================================== > > Thank you for your interest and for asking. > My memory of it was as a shrub.young tree. > It showed no sign of being a climber..no tendrils/no signs of twisting > branches. > Had it done that i am positive I would have taken a picture of that. > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > On Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 6:01:32 AM UTC+1 Dr Pankaj Kumar wrote: > > One of my friend says this could be Byttneria. Please check the Malvaceae > database for Africa. > Pankaj > > > On Tuesday, May 17, 2022, J.M. Garg <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > -- > With regards, > J. M. Garg > > ---------- Forwarded message --------- > From: *Pankaj Kumar* <[email protected]> > Date: Tue, 17 May, 2022, 6:20 am > Subject: Re: [itpmods:16846] Fwd: [efloraofindia:422794] MYSTERY SHRUB > 23rd Feb 2022...SS > To: itpmods <[email protected]> > > > Are you sure it is not a climber? > > On Tue, 17 May 2022 at 08:33, J.M. Garg <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > -- > With regards, > J. M. Garg > > ---------- Forwarded message --------- > From: *Plantaholic Sheila.* <[email protected]> > Date: Fri, 13 May, 2022, 3:11 am > Subject: Re: [itpmods:16822] Fwd: [efloraofindia:422794] MYSTERY SHRUB > 23rd Feb 2022...SS > To: eFloraofIndia <[email protected]> > > > Pic 3 seems to have some sort of gland in the axil of the leaves. > Does this lead to any further clues? > I have seen something slightly similar in Aleurites molaccana where 2 > *glands* at the junction of the leaf base and petiole secrete a sweetish > sap > > [image: ALEURITES MOLUCCANA 18-01-2019 11-33-14.JPG][image: ALEURITES > MOLUCCANA 18-01-2019 11-30-56.JPG] > > > On Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 10:13:53 PM UTC+1 Plantaholic Sheila. wrote: > > Quote... I was thinking of *Hyptis* (on lines of *Hyptis capitata*) ... > but I think I am wrong. > The leaves look different. > > Regards. > Donesh > ................................................................ > > I appreciate all help. Thank you. > Hyptis is in Lamiaceae. > I thought we had established that it cannot be in this..see several posts > above. > > > This mystery plant was not a soft herbaceous plant. > It was a shrub/tree .....with strong woody square stems. > The round balls of seeds were quite large as were the leaves. > Apologies that there is nothing to give my pics a scale. > I was so sure it would be easy to id I only took these pics > > On Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 8:09:21 AM UTC+1 Dinesh Valke wrote: > > I was thinking of *Hyptis* (on lines of *Hyptis capitata*) ... but I > think I am wrong. > The leaves look different. > > Regards. > Donesh > > On Thu, May 12, 2022 at 12:23 PM J.M. Garg <[email protected]> wrote: > > Forwarding again for Id assistance please. > Any confirmed ideas about the family or genus? > > ---------- Forwarded message --------- > From: *Plantaholic Sheila.* <[email protected]> > Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2022 at 21:18 > Subject: [efloraofindia:415866] MYSTERY SHRUB 23rd Feb 2022...SS > To: efloraofindia <[email protected]> > > > [image: 001 04-04-2019 10-48-58.JPG][image: 001 04-04-2019 > 10-49-05.JPG][image: > 001 04-04-2019 10-49-10.JPG][image: 001 04-04-2019 10-49-36.JPG][image: > 001 04-04-2019 10-50-01.JPG][image: 001 04-04-2019 10-50-05.JPG]My humble > apologies. > It has been so long since I posted here I have forgotten what to do. > I saw this shrub on Isla de la Plata. Ecuador. > Part of Machalilla National Park. > On 4th April 2019...just 6 pics > > I have tried since than to id it...with no joy. > Please may I seek the assistance of the world wide experts that help here > to id this very distinctive plant. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "efloraofindia" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/indiantreepix/f54acb4e-9131-4110-a567-58e29067526dn%40googlegroups.com > > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/indiantreepix/f54acb4e-9131-4110-a567-58e29067526dn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > > -- > With regards, > J.M.Garg > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "ITPmods" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/itpmods/CA%2BiuSFBi-oR_WUKjxXKGtLNy2sY6AmcHUCMxQeZgqSA870sPiw%40mail.gmail.com > > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/itpmods/CA%2BiuSFBi-oR_WUKjxXKGtLNy2sY6AmcHUCMxQeZgqSA870sPiw%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "eFloraofIndia" group. > > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > > To view this discussion on the web, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/indiantreepix/7efcfc6f-a948-4ea5-9c39-aa28c4c4d2e2n%40googlegroups.com > > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/indiantreepix/7efcfc6f-a948-4ea5-9c39-aa28c4c4d2e2n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "ITPmods" group. > > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > > > To view this discussion on the web, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/itpmods/CA%2BiuSFCUNJYXKLEg1G484%3DQJ37vPT%3DCWcLz0AjX1Qhcam5F0gw%40mail.gmail.com > > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/itpmods/CA%2BiuSFCUNJYXKLEg1G484%3DQJ37vPT%3DCWcLz0AjX1Qhcam5F0gw%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > > > -- > > *Pankaj Kumar* MSc, PhD, FLS > > *IUCN-SSC Orchid Specialist Group Asia* > > Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong S.A.R., P.R. China > > *email*: [email protected]; [email protected] > *Phone*: +852 9436 6251 (mobile) > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "ITPmods" group. > > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > > > To view this discussion on the web, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/itpmods/CABpo8%3D2LahWoP-wkZpEMCHT_ESd6K_hdKZ4oH5UWQoJgSYDjMQ%40mail.gmail.com > > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/itpmods/CABpo8%3D2LahWoP-wkZpEMCHT_ESd6K_hdKZ4oH5UWQoJgSYDjMQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > > -- > > *Pankaj Kumar* MSc, PhD, FLS > > *IUCN-SSC Orchid Specialist Group Asia* > > Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong S.A.R., P.R. China > > *email*: [email protected]; [email protected] > *Phone*: +852 9436 6251 (mobile) > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "eFloraofIndia" group. > > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > > > To view this discussion on the web, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/indiantreepix/7da6188a-2236-4b57-b17f-1c7f42e35486n%40googlegroups.com > > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/indiantreepix/7da6188a-2236-4b57-b17f-1c7f42e35486n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > > > -- > With regards, > J.M.Garg > > > > -- > With regards, > J.M.Garg > > > > -- > > *Pankaj Kumar* MSc, PhD, FLS > > *IUCN-SSC Orchid Specialist Group Asia* > > Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong S.A.R., P.R. China > > *email*: [email protected]; [email protected] > *Phone*: +852 9436 6251 (mobile) > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "eFloraofIndia" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/indiantreepix/95b579c1-29cf-44e7-90c1-bd087e8cc874n%40googlegroups.com > > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/indiantreepix/95b579c1-29cf-44e7-90c1-bd087e8cc874n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > > > -- > > *Pankaj Kumar* MSc, PhD, FLS > > *IUCN-SSC Orchid Specialist Group Asia* > > Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong S.A.R., P.R. China > > *email*: [email protected]; [email protected] > *Phone*: +852 9436 6251 (mobile) > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "eFloraofIndia" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/indiantreepix/28d72ef5-6c01-4413-b080-f39d0a89a2ffn%40googlegroups.com > > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/indiantreepix/28d72ef5-6c01-4413-b080-f39d0a89a2ffn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > > > -- > > *Pankaj Kumar* MSc, PhD, FLS > > *IUCN-SSC Orchid Specialist Group Asia* > > Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong S.A.R., P.R. China > > *email*: [email protected]; [email protected] > *Phone*: +852 9436 6251 (mobile) > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "eFloraofIndia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/indiantreepix/4b5095fc-0c8b-430e-b314-147c8791fe34n%40googlegroups.com.
