Malvaviscus arboreus var. arboreus
Synonyms: Malvaviscus arboreus var. mexicanus Schlechtendal M. grandiflorus
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 6. Treatment on page 299.
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
Introduced; 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.