Jangchub wrote in
:

It is probably a Ficus because it is simple to get a nice knarled bark
and shape at the base in a short span of time. Don't be freaked when
it loses its leaves, if it does. It's normal and the foliage will
come back if you keep it evenly moist, not wet, not dry.


What causes the loss of leaves? I wonder if the other ones that were being
sold for $5 ea. due to their leaves being shriveled and dry are actually
going to recover?

This plant had brown spots on the leaves (not scale, the brown parts were
sort of indented into the leaves) which made me think they got cold
exposure during our recent cold snap but it's just a guess on my part.