“Flowering maple”

Not surprisingly, this is a member of the same family, mallows (Malvaceae), as the Hibiscus genus.

From Missouri Botanical Garden, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a477 » “Abutilon is a large genus in the Mallow family. Flowering maple (Abutilon x hybridum) is a popular group of hybrids that are semi-tropical, frost-tender shrubs typically growing 8-10' tall in Zones 9–10 where in may be left in the ground year-round. In St. Louis, they will grow more compact (to 2–4' tall in a single season). Lantern-like buds open to solitary, pendulous, bell- to cup-shaped flowers (to 3" diameter) with five overlapping petals and significant staminal columns typical of the mallow family. Plants bloom throughout the growing season. Flowers come in red, pink, yellow, white and pastel shades. Lobed, maple-like, light green leaves are often variegated with white and yellow.

“Genus name comes from the Arabic name for a mallow-like plant.”

Species page at PhytoImages, http://phytoimages.siu.edu/cgi-bin/dol/dol_terminal.pl?taxon_name=Abutilon_hybridum&rank=binomial

Photo taken at SIUC Plant Biology Greenhouse, http://www.plantbiology.siu.edu/facilities/plant-biology-facilities/greenhouse/index.php

1 year ago (“No flowers!”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-04-30
2 years ago (“Knockout rose”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-04-30
3 years ago (“Morning iris II”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-04-30

30th April 2014 30th Apr 14