Looks like one of the ficus species. Not sure which one. Lots of these in the Florida landscape scene. They can get quite large if I am correct about the ID.

Harry

Thanks Harry, now I have a lead to do some research on.

Looks like Myrciaria vexator to me. Relative of the jaboticaba and a very, very nice landscape specimen. Must wait 5 to 6 years to get fruit though

Jeff

.. a well taken care of vexator that is. When grown in full sun with high ph soil, the leaves are smaller and suffer from chlorosis if not given micronut spray.

Jeff

Hmmmmm......m. vexator???? Interesting thought....but the canopy/growth habit doesn't look like the vexators I have seen. I'm sticking with ficus, for now. Am sending a picture of it to a friend who will know better than me.

Harry

Yah, on second thought you could be right, Harry. I was just looking out my window and comparing the shape of the leaves to my vexator and noticing some similarities. But the habit of growth is way off. The leaf also looks a bit like the leaf of my pitomba, but the season is way off.

Jeff

Just got word back from my friend who is a self proclaimed m. vexatorphile. He confirms that this is not m. vexator....agrees it is probably one of the ficus species.

Harry

Definately a ficus.....maybe Ficus alii.

They used to be common house plants for well over a couple of decades..then they disappeared. Just like that,gone from HD,Lowes,etc.
They arent hardy in California..very marginal in the best z10b climates here.
Actually,there is a large leafed variety-It might be the straight species of Ficus benjamina- that also has that look but considerably more cold hardy. I would think in Bakersfield a good plant to try under eaves.

Ficus benjamina have a very destructive root system. I would not put this anywhere near a sidewalk, building, foundation, pool deck, etc.

Rob

Rob,the plants are like two different species in growth in a climate like Bakerfield and Orlando-or coastal SouCal. In Bakersfield, a shrubby F.benjamina is a big plant. Lows in the high 20's zap every year. I doubt also that a evergreen Ficus can be grown in the open in the central valley.