Malvaviscus arboreus var. arboreus

[F I]
Synonyms: Malvaviscus arboreus var. mexicanus Schlechtendal M. grandiflorus
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 6. Treatment on page 299.
Revision as of 22:05, 16 December 2019 by FNA>Volume Importer

Plants not clone-forming, 1–3[–10] m, subglabrous to densely hairy. Stems stellate-hairy to glabrate (glabrous). Leaf blades usually unlobed, sometimes shallowly 3–5-lobed, elliptic to ovate, 4–20[–25] × 3–12 cm, often longer than wide, base rounded (to subcordate), margins serrate to subentire, apex acute. Petals 1.5–4(–5) cm. 2n = ca. 28, 56.


Phenology: Flowering summer–fall.
Habitat: Palm forests and thorn scrub, sometimes cultivated
Elevation: 0–100 m

Distribution

V6 543-distribution-map.jpg

Tex., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, n South America (Colombia).

Discussion

Variety arboreus is infrequently cultivated in the Rio Grande Valley and eastward to Florida. It does not appear to be native within the flora area, and the Texas record was likely an escape. Individuals may escape and persist.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
Meghan G. Mendenhall +  and Paul A. Fryxell† +
Hibiscus malvaviscus +
Tex. +, Mexico +, West Indies +, Central America +  and n South America (Colombia). +
0–100 m +
Palm forests and thorn scrub, sometimes cultivated +
Flowering summer–fall. +
Illustrated +
Malvaviscus arboreus var. mexicanus +  and M. grandiflorus +
Malvaviscus arboreus var. arboreus +
Malvaviscus arboreus +
variety +