Sounds like you're UP for a little
sleuthing there, Stan!
I can imagine a scenario where the Madame batted her eyes at the prince of Monaco, who promptly procurred her a cutting which headed back to the coast well protected in her steamer trunk!
It would be very interesting to attempt to sort this one out. I never really thought much about this plant over the years, as we always thought of it as kind of an ugly plant that would be difficult to deal with. Sort of reminds me of the apple trees in the
Wizard Of Oz!
However, I would love to get a cutting from one and see how it performs as a small plant under nursery-controlled conditions. I would be very surprised if this plant was not a species...
They are around in many places; I just can't remember where! Mostly in old gardens in older homes in older neighborhoods, as large wandering-armed gangly trees. Does anybody have photos to post? This is another mystery that sure would be neat to get to the bottom of...
The Monger