Hello again,
Could someone help me identifying a plant? I was a couple of weeks ago in Belgium, where I saw near a wall, in a garden, a small bush (I would say 2m x 2m) with leaves that strongly reminded me of papaya.
I tryied to google a bit, but could not find any papaya (or papaya looking) plant that could prove hardy in a sheltered place in Belgium. So what could that plant be???
I wish I had my camera with me. Does this ring a bell to someone here?
Many thanks in advance, MirandaPn

Hello Miranda
I don't think papayas can prove that hardy.
I'd bet you're talking about the Japanese aralia (fatsia japonica). It is commonly sold as a houseplant, and, yes, it has leaves that remind of papaya, somehow.
However, unlike papaya, it can prove fairly hardy, maybe even in a sheltered spot in belgium.

That's my only guess, I can't really see any other candidate.
Regards

Hi,

I'll second Rajesh. Fatsias have a fairly similar aspect to papayas, and I think it's a must-have in colder zones (not too cold, though, as I think this plant is USDA z7b or 8a)

Hi. All. If it is Fatsia[Japonica], it should be fully hardy in Belgium,I live in England, and have seen these regularly covered in snow and frost here, or it could also be a fig, or even Tetrapanax, these plants are slightly more tender but with protection should survive outside. Regards Nij.

[ Edited by nij on 2006/1/13 22:11 ]

could be sassafras?!http://coolexotics.com/images/subject/lightbulb.gif
http://coolexotics.com/images/subject/lightbulb.gif

Wow old post
I don't know much about sassafras species, but I thought they were trees, not shrubs?
But it's true the foliage slightly reminds of sassafras...