A friend in northern VA received this as a gift. Wasn't told and doesn't know what it is, and I'm an outdoors woody plants fellow.

Any ideas? She is worried about its health, too, which i suspect maybe has wet feet.





Thanks for your help!

I think it is a tree, not a houseplant.

It could be an Abutilon; they are sometimes kept as a houseplant.

A baby Liquidambar styraciflua???

Sweet gum.

gardenfish is correct, it's a Sweetgum tree. The leaves turn a beautiful scarlet in the fall.

Sorry.....should have also put common name.

Liquidambar styraciflua..common name Sweet gum!

I don't think its Liquidambar styraciflua. I don't think I've ever seen a Sweet Gum with toothy leaves quite like that.

How big are the leaves?

My first thought was also Sweet Gum but as Iochroma mentioned, it also resembles leaves of some Abutilon:

Silver surfer, that's ok about the name! I do think the leaves look very similar to Abutilon, or flowering maple.
Well. I guess the best way is to grow it to find out?

Don't you think we ought to ask @ViburnumValley for some more definitive photos?

John, are those the only pictures available? Could we maybe see the terminal? Since you are an 'outdoors woody plant fellow' can we assume it doesn't fit any of those genera? If that's the case, then I would go with Abutilon too.

I don't think its a Sweet Gum or Abutilon but I'm still thinking.

More photos! Knowing leaf texture and size would help also.

Or you could put it in a big pot outdoors and see if it blooms.

Do we know if it was gifted as an indoor or outdoor entity?

I'd like to think I could spot a Sweetgum if it slapped me upside the head.

Additional information gathered:

It was gifted some time last year, kept inside as a houseplant, likely overwatered during winter.

Here are more definitive images (@porkpal)...

With the stipules I'd go with Abutilon.

Hearing no objections, I'll consider this CASE CLOSED with Abutilon sp. as the ID.

I'll expect updates from the plant owner - especially if it survives - and will request photos especially if the plant offers additional positive ID features like flowers.

Thank you all for the back/forth - including pointed prompts...@porkpal.