Malvaviscus, Genus, spp., Multiple species,
- Genus
- Multiple species
Turk's cap mallows
Americas, southern United States to Brazil and Peru
Overview
Malvaviscus is a genus of about three to six species of evergreen shrubs in the mallow family (Malvaceae), native to the Americas from the southern United States to Brazil and Peru. Plants form soft-wooded, branching shrubs 3–12 feet (0.9–3.7 m) tall, with heart-shaped, often lobed and slightly hairy leaves 2–5 inches (5–13 cm) long. The red flowers, 1–3 inches (2.5–8 cm) long, never open flat; the five petals stay furled into a tube with the stamen column projecting beyond them, giving the look of a turban or a partly closed hibiscus. Bloom continues through the warm months and draws hummingbirds and butterflies. Fruit is a small, fleshy, red, apple-shaped berry that is edible and mealy. M. arboreus and its variety M. arboreus var. drummondii are the common forms. Plants tolerate heat, humidity, and part shade, and resprout from the base after frost in marginal zones.
Native Range
Native to the Americas, from the southern United States (Texas and Florida) through Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean to Brazil and Peru. Grows in woodland edges, thickets, and stream banks in warm, humid lowlands and lower slopes from sea level to about 4,000 feet (1,200 m).Suggested Uses
Grown as a flowering shrub, informal hedge, and hummingbird and butterfly planting in warm regions, spaced 3–6 feet (0.9–1.8 m) apart. Plants are used in part-shade borders and woodland edges where many flowering shrubs falter. The suckering habit suits naturalized plantings more than formal beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 12'
Width/Spread3' - 8'
Bloom Information
Flowering runs through the warm months, generally late spring to fall, and nearly year-round in frost-free climates. Individual flowers last 1–2 days, and plants carry a long succession of blooms. Hummingbirds visit the flowers throughout the season.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
