Abutilon pictum
| Abutilon pictum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abutilon pictum flower | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Abutilon |
| Species: | A. pictum |
| Binomial name | |
| Abutilon pictum (Gillies) Walp. | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Abutilon striatum | |
Abutilon pictum — syn. Abutilon striatum, and commonly known as Redvein Abutilon, Red Vein Indian Mallow, Redvein Flowering Maple, or Red vein Chinese lanterns, is a species of Abutilon in the Malvaceae family. [1] It is native to southern Brazil and Argentina, and Paraguay and Uruguay. The plant has become naturalised in Central America, and common in horticulture.
Description
Abutilon pictum is a shrub growing to 5 metres (16 ft) tall by 2 2 metres (6.6 ft) wide. [2] The leaves are 5–15 cm long, three- to five- (rarely seven-) lobed.
The yellow to orange-red bell shaped flowers have prominent dark red veining, with five petals 2–4 cm long. It blooms from April to September, and longer in warmer subtropical areas. The flowers attract pollinators, such as native bees and hummingbirds.[2]
Uses
Culinary
The flowers are edible, raw or cooked, with the sweet flavor increasing the longer the bloom is open.[2]
Cultivation
Abutilon pictum is cultivated as a popular ornamental plant, for use in gardens in subtropical climates. They are also planted in containers or pots, on patios and balconies outdoors, or as winter house plants. [2]
The plant can grow in light shade or full sun, and is frost tender. It requires moist soil, growing suitably in fertile sandy, loamy, or well-drained clay soils.[2][3]
Cultivars
- Abutilion pictum "Mardi Gras" — Mardi Gras abutilion (syn: Abutilon pictum "Aureomaculatum"); very vigorous form to 10 ft. by 10 ft. but can be kept smaller/espaliered, has large green leaves splashed boldly with gold, narrow light orange flowers. [4]
- Abutilon pictum "Thompsonii" — Variegated Thompson's abutilion (syn: Abutilon striatum "Thompsonii"); speckled yellow and green variegated leaves, orange flowers. [5]
References
- ↑ Information from NPGS/GRIN for Abutilon striatum (Abutilon pictum)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 PFAF . accessed 5.15.2013
- ↑ [Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.]
- ↑ Monterey Bay Nursery horticultural index: Abutilon species and cultivars.
- ↑ Gardensandplants.com: Abutilon pictum "Thompsonii"
- (Portuguese) LORENZI, H.; SOUZA, M.S. (2001) Plantas Ornamentais no Brasil: arbustivas, herbáceas e trepadeiras. Plantarum ISBN 85-86714-12-7
External links
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