Rank Species | Genus Abutilon Higher classification Indian mallow | |
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Similar Indian mallow, Mallows, Abutilon megapotamicum, Abutilon × hybridum, Abutilon theophrasti | ||
Abutilon pictum — syn. Abutilon striatum,(disputed) and commonly known as Redvein Abutilon, Red Vein Indian Mallow, Redvein Flowering Maple, Chinese-lantern or Red vein Chinese lanterns, is a species of Abutilon in the Malvaceae family. It is native to southern Brazil and Argentina, and Paraguay and Uruguay. The plant has become naturalised in Central America, and common in horticulture.
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Description
Abutilon pictum is a shrub growing to 5 metres (16 ft) tall by 2 metres (6.6 ft) wide. 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.
Culinary
The flowers are edible, raw or cooked, with the sweet flavor increasing the longer the bloom is open.
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.
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.
Cultivars
Note: both Abutilon pictum and Abutilon striatum are susceptible to Abutilon mosaic virus - while A. pictum simply gets crinkly leaves, A. striatium develops a mottled or variegated leaf that is prized, and often sold as a different variety, notably "Gold dust" in Hawaii.