Brazilian mallow
Bakeridesia esculenta

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 2.4 m high The leaves are oval or oblong. They have short leaf stalks. There are teeth along the edge. The leaves have a dense grey covering underneath. The flowers are large and red. The fruit are a capsule with a grey covering.

There are about 100-160 Abutilon species.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. It needs well drained soil but can grow in a range of soils. It can grow in light shade. The can only tolerate a light frost. It suits hardiness zone 9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil, South America

How it is used for food

The corolla of the flower is cooked as a vegetable, especially with meat. The flowers are also used in salads. The fruit are eaten before complete maturity.

The flowers are only occasionally eaten locally.

Edible parts

Flowers, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. Seeds germinate in 3-4 weeks. They can also be grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Night-flowering maple

Synonyms

Abutilon carneum A. St. Hil.; Abutilon esculentum A. St Hilary; Abutilon purpurascens (Link) K. Schum.; Abutilon speciosum (Willd. ex Spreng.) G. Don; Abutilon virens A. St.-Hil. & Naudin; Bakeridesia purpurascens (Link) Monteiro; Sida esculenta Steud.; Sida purpurascens Link; Sida speciosa Willd. ex Spreng; Sida triflora Vell.;