You are correct, it does indeed look like heather. However this one is way too tiny. But I agree, there are similarities. Still, it's impossible for heather to now suddenly become this small... I'll just have to dig out the microscope, then perhaps we will be able to get to the bottom of this.
S-H, I did your photo with plantsnap and it came up with the ID of "alligator weed" I am not sure if that is what you have there but it comes from South America according to wikipedia. download the app onyour phone and see if thats what you have. Alternanthera philoxeroides is its scientific name.
No, unfortunately that's not it. As my plant is super tiny, (can fit in a matchbox). While this thing is a giant in comparison. See picture below, of what is an alligator weed. Now have a look at my mystery plant below, with my hand as size comparison.
I can't tell what size the ones I looked at in comparison to yours or if what popped up was even growing in your part of the world. .. use the plantsnap app and do it from there. Maybe you would have better luck with identification.
Yes That is quite possible ! Very often ,in order to survive plants will adapt to what they have to use ! The plant only grows to a certain size and can adapt to less food, soil and water ! They will miniaturize rather than die !
So if we now take the seeds of such a miniaturize plant - Then plant them elsewhere, will we get a new miniaturized variety? Or will the seeds of such a plant/tree be sterile?
Oldenlandia Corymbosa! I just ran these pictures through that same plant ID app, and solved this mystery. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldenlandia_corymbosa It's said to be a medicinal plant, the extract from which is said to work as an anti inflammatory. For both internal and external use on the body. However that tall claim is from traditional Indian medicine, in which I have zero faith and confidence, (as most of traditional Indian medicine has been proven time and time again to be nothing but quackery, which can often be pretty harmful)... I unfortunately no longer have this plant. But should it sprout again, I'll now know what to look for. According to traditional Chinese medicine however, (which I think is somewhat credible in comparison to Indian nonsense medicine) - The extract of this plant can treat an inflamed apandix, as well as useful to treat snake bites. As they say that it's an anti venomous plant.
