Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 999 Location: Port Royal, SC (Zone 8b)
Posted: Sun 29 Apr, 2007 11:23 am
Some time back I mentioned having a poncirus that had more than three leaflets to the leaf. The tree has leafed out, so I thought I would show some shots of the leaves. I have found from 3 to as high as 7 leaflets on a leaf.
Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 590 Location: UK - 15 miles west of London
Posted: Tue 15 May, 2007 6:53 pm
I've seen the odd leaf on Poncirus that wasn't trifoliate, but never a compound leaf like yours. It seems as if a second trifoliate leaf is trying to grow from the centre of the first trifoliate leaf.
There are citrus relatives that have this leaf form. Hesperethusa crenulata (or Naringi crenulata) has a compound trifoliate leaf. It is pictured in Citrus Industry, Vol 1, and various sites from a Google image search.
I expect your plant is a genetic mutation rather than any kind of hybrid. It will be interesting to see if the fruits are normal, and whether it reproduces from seed. Probably a long time to wait!
Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 999 Location: Port Royal, SC (Zone 8b)
Posted: Tue 15 May, 2007 11:35 pm
Citrange, I think you are right about the genetic mutation. There is a limb or two that has leaves that are fairly normal, even though they are not exactly like other poncirus. The tree does seem to be somewhat dwarf.