Abutilon megapotamicum

(A. Spreng.) A. St.-Hil. & Naudin

Brazilian mallow

Malvaceae Edible: Flowers, Vegetable

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Summary

Abutilon megapotamicum or Callianthe megapotamica (trailing abutilon) is a species of Abutilon native to Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. It is a shrub growing to 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) tall, with leaves 5–8 centimetres (2.0–3.1 in) long, ovate to shallowly three-lobed. The flowers are orange-yellow with a red base, with five petals about 4 centimetres (1.6 in) long. It is a popular ornamental plant in subtropical gardens or temperate gardens that experience mild winters. They bloom for months from summer to frost, and they decorate the plant with a profusion of blossoms resembling Chinese lanterns. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. They are also known as flowering maple, Chinese lantern and parlour maple, in addition to trailing abutilon.

Description

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

Edible Uses

The flowers are edible cooked and used as a vegetable, though they have a pleasant sweet flavor and are also delicious eaten raw. Flowers are produced from mid-spring through autumn, and because they continuously produce nectar while open, those grown indoors away from pollinating insects become progressively sweeter the longer each flower remains open.

Traditional Uses

The flowers are eaten as a vegetable. They can be eaten raw or cooked.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It is damaged by drought and frost. It needs moist soil and a sunny position.

Where It Grows

Australia, Brazil, Slovenia, South America, Uruguay,

Cultivation

Plants are grown using cuttings.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a greenhouse; germination should occur within a few weeks. Once large enough to handle, prick seedlings out into individual pots and grow on for at least the first winter under glass before planting out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of young shoots can be taken in June in a frame, grown on through the first winter in a greenhouse, and planted out the following spring after frosts have passed. Cuttings of half-ripe wood taken in July or August in a frame can be treated the same way.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

There are about 100-160 Abutilon species.

Also Known As

Bencao-de-deus, Brazilian lantern flower, Brazilski slezinec, Sininho

References (4)

Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. ser. 2, 18:49. 1842
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 147
Kinupp, V. F., 2007, Plantas alimenticias nao-convencionais da regiao metropolitana de Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil p 80
Ryan, S., 2008, Dicksonia. Rare Plants Manual. Hyland House. p