Species
Malvaviscus arboreus var. arboreus
Etymology
arboreus: From the Latin arbor 'tree', meaning tree-like
Common Name(s)
Turks cap
Authority
Malvaviscus arboreus Cav. var. arboreus
Family
Malvaceae
Flora Category
Vascular - Exotic
Structural Class
Dicotyledonous Trees & Shrubs
Habitat
Terrestrial.
Features
Spreading shrub to 3 m high, often spreading vegetatively by layering. Leaves not lobed or shallowly 3-lobed, velvety to touch, 5-15 cm long. Flowers, axillary, solitary or few in fascicles; petals scarlet, 20-35 mm long. Fruit fleshy, red, 1-3 cm diameter.
Flowering
June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February
Flower Colours
Red / Pink
Year Naturalised
1981
Origin
Tropical and sub-tropical America
Reason For Introduction
Ornamental
Life Cycle Comments
Perennial. Have seen fruit; potentially significant weed.
Reproduction
Spreads by layering.
Tolerances
Shade tolerant.
This page last updated on 24 Apr 2010