Scientific Name
Abutilon pictum (Gillies ex Hook. & Arn.) Walp.
Common Name(s)
Redvein Abutilon, Painted Indian Mallow, Red Vein Indian Mallow, Flowering Maple, Redvein Flowering Maple, Red Vein Chinese Lanterns, Chinese Lantern
Synonym(s)
Sida picta, Abutilon striatum, Abutilon pleniflorum, Abutilon pseudostriatum, Abutilon thompsonii, Abutilon thompsonii, Abutilon venosum, Sida striata
Scientific Classification
Family: Malvaceae
Subfamily: Malvoideae
Tribe: Malveae
Genus: Abutilon
Flower
Color: Yellow to orange-red
Bloom Time: April to September
Description
Abutilon pictum is an evergreen shrub that grows up to 16 feet (5 m) tall and 6 feet (1.8 m) wide. Leaves are 3- to 5-lobed and up to 6 inches (15 cm) long. Flowers are bell-shaped, up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) long, yellow to orange-red with prominent dark red veining and five petals. They appear from April to September.
How to Grow and Care
Abutilon is not an especially difficult plant to grow. However, they are sometimes affected by spider mites and are known for leggy growth during warmer, dry winters. To encourage bushy growth, prune the plant by 25 percent to 40 percent in the late winter, right when new growth is about to start. Also, occasionally pinch off new growth throughout the summer to encourage healthy growth. When pruning, ensure to stagger your cuts and remove some large branches to open the plant's canopy. As a final note, these plants dislike acidic soil, so adding more lime to your potting mix is unnecessary. Instead, stick with the basic peat-based potting soil and make sure to refresh it as the mixture decomposes and becomes more acidic over time.
Abutilon is a relatively fast-growing plant, especially when they're young. Consequently, younger plants might need to be repotted twice a year, once at the beginning of the growing season and once in the middle. Older plants, however, benefit from being slightly pot-bound, so they should be repotted either every other year or yearly into only slightly larger pots. Pot-bound plants tend to grow more vigorously and bloom better.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Abutilon.
Origin
This species is native to southern Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Links
- Back to genus Abutilon
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
Photo Gallery
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