@SongofJoy (in case you didn't see the discussion of this picture on the Cactus & Succulents forum ).

I believe this is Ficus microcarpa 'Ginseng' instead of a 'Desert Rose.'

it does not look like a desert rose to me, based on the caudex and leaves.

This is similar to this but smaller leaves:

Watching this thread.
If Carole doesn't check in, would the species Ficus microcarpa entry be an appropriate move? Or do you think it's Ginseng because of the smaller leaves?

Calif_Sue said: Watching this thread.
If Carole doesn't check in, would the species Ficus microcarpa entry be an appropriate move? Or do you think it's Ginseng because of the smaller leaves?

F. microcarpa 'Ginseng' appears to be labeled as such in that its exposed roots look like that of ginseng. Interesting. I wasn't 100% sure the difference between the species and the cultivar, so I had to do some reading.

This might help with the ID:
https://www.bonsaitreegardener...

I haven't seen Carole (SongofJoy) around in a long time. Just checked her profile and her last post on site was almost two years ago. Her profile states that she is Freelance writer at Dave's Garden, so maybe she spends her time over there.

The plant in question appears to be a variety of Ficus microcarpa to me too, rather than Adenium.

Thanks Lin the caudex does look similar to yours:


As I was reading about ficus, it does look like just like Adeniums, sometimes the caudex or roots are being used to graft other varieties of ficus to have the desired ficus caudex and the prettier leaves combo.

Here's similar article:

https://smalltreeleaf.com/gins...

Well, I think my first assumption was wrong. Upon enlarging SongofJoy's photo to take a closer look, the leaves of that plant appear a bit thicker and more succulent-like than Ficus, so it may very well be Adenium. I think I recall Carole being very good at knowing plants so perhaps it should remain at it's current database location.

I don't believe the leaves or the trunk match.

The photo in question is without any doubt is a Ficus microcarpa Ginseng root stock, grafted with another compact variety of F microcarpa, in which I can't be certain, there are many variety available in the market, many are un-named, but mostly a compact form (similar/related to) F microcarpa var crassifolia (or often labeled as F taiwanensis in trade), such as 'Green island'
Grafted ginseng fig is very popular, as the caudex is only produced by plant grown from seed, (similar to Adenium), but the leaves are not as interesting, they are larger and less compact. so grafting is the way to create a nice plant. It is mass produced in southern part of China and else where
https://www.chineseplantsnh.co...
Here is how i see the differences


Ficus microcarpa has lenticels horizontal lines on their bark, in some variety it is prominent such as in Tiger bark fig, which is also a variety of F microcarpa

Comparison to Adenium

Adenium do not show horizontal lenticels, there could be horizontal lines on some but it is usually stretched leaves scar

Tofi, that is an amazing comparison, thank you so much for your knowledgeable input on this one!

Thank you for your kind words, Happy to discuss Lin

plantladylin said: Well, I think my first assumption was wrong. Upon enlarging SongofJoy's photo to take a closer look, the leaves of that plant appear a bit thicker and more succulent-like than Ficus.

eta; Indeed Lin, the leaves on this Figs are thicker compares to other variety of F microcarpa, fleshy just like Crassula, hence the varietal name F. Microcarpa var Crassifolia, as crassus means solid or thick in Latin
Some believes it is an adaptation to rocky coastal lives, as this variety was originated on rocky coastal limestones in southern Taiwan. This fig has thick waxy cuticle on their leaves and fleshy leaves parenchyme to conserve water.

plantladylin said: Tofi, that is an amazing comparison, thank you so much for your knowledgeable input on this one!

@Calif_Sue , do you feel comfortable moving this photo given Tofi's input?

Wow Tofi that is very informative and learned more about the parts of Ficus and Adeniums. Great illustrations! I only know it doesn't look like any of my 100+ grafted and seedgrown adeniums.

Ok I moved it, hopefully to the correct entry. Let me know if it's better placed in the generic Ficus microcarpa entry.