Malvaviscus arboreus var. arboreus

Muriwai.<br>Photographer: John Smith-Dodsworth, Date taken: 01/02/2011, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>

Whanganui. May 2011.<br>Photographer: Colin C. Ogle, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>.

Kowhai Park, Whanganui. Feb 2013.<br>Photographer: Colin C. Ogle, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>

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Common names

Turk’s cap

Family

Malvaceae

Authority

Malvaviscus arboreus Cav. var. arboreus

Flora category

Vascular – Exotic

Structural class

Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons

Conservation status

Not applicable

Habitat

Terrestrial.

Detailed description

Spreading shrub to 3 m high, often spreading vegetatively by layering. Leaves not lobed or shallowly 3-lobed, velvety to touch, 5-15 cm long. Flowers, axillary, solitary or few in fascicles; petals scarlet, 20-35 mm long. Fruit fleshy, red, 1-3 cm diameter.

Flowering

June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February

Flower colours

Red/Pink

Year naturalised

1981

Origin

Tropical and sub-tropical America

Etymology

arboreus: From the Latin arbor ‘tree’, meaning tree-like

Reason For Introduction
Ornamental

Life Cycle Comments
Perennial. Have seen fruit; potentially significant weed.

Reproduction
Spreads by layering.

Tolerances
Shade tolerant.

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