Viewing post #1141337 by JRsbugs

Cyclaminist said:Rogersia is not likely at all. Looking at various websites, Rogersia is a shade plant (or a sun plant if it gets moisture), and it would not be able to grow in a hot dry hole in a sidewalk next to a tree stump. And Rogersia leaves apparently grow individually, each on their own leaf stalk that comes out of the ground, or arranged alternately on flower stalks. This plant has leaves arranged oppositely on stems, so it can't be Rogersia.

Aesculus has opposite leaves, so it is a definite possibility. Since the stems appear to be sprouting directly from the base of the stump or the roots around the stump, they're clearly young stems of a tree, and so horsechestnut or buckeye are likely. As for the leaves not looking exactly like mature horsechestnut or buckeye leaves, that's understandable since it's just a sprout that hasn't fully unfolded its leaves yet.

There was a tree to give shade. How hot and dry, at this time of year, does it get in Chicago? Surely there would be water held under the metal surround (and slabs) which appears to have holes in it?

Did you check the site which I posted, and which states how easily Rodgersia species interbreed?

Did you check the photo I have posted now three times, of a Rodgersia going to flower, which has opposite leaves on the stalk?

https://namethatplant.files.wo...

Did you read the identifying features of Rodgersia aesculifolia? I posted a clip of it so it was to be read and not missed.

http://www.gardenmyths.com/rod...

I will fill in some of the details to make it more obvious.

Leaf texture: Tends to deflects down at the mid-vein and the apex

These leaves do that.

Veins: Smooth upper surface, only main veins are prominent on the underside of the leaf

If you look back at the photo of the back of a leaf as posted earlier, that fits.

Number of leaflets: 6-7

Buckeye, if you had seen the link I posted earlier, has only 5 leaves. Repeating the quote:

62. Buckeyes (Aesculus species) LEAVES: Opposite, palmately compound (the leaflets arranged like spreading fingers), native buckeyes have 5 leaflets, Horsechestnut has 7

http://www.slideshare.net/mrjo...

The fact that the plants are around a tree stump is no indication that they belong to the tree. They could, but I can't see the likeness to horse chestnut nor any other tree. If anyone has any idea of what other type of tree might have leaves like these, please tell us.

Identification relies on facts, not what we think. Nothing is obvious until proven. If one is going to look at websites, then one must make sure there is a certain amount of credibility attached to that website. The internet if full of wrong information.