Japanese lantern plant, Indian mallow
Abutilon pictum
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
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.
Where it is found
It is a warm temperate and tropical plant. It needs a sunny position. It needs a fertile well-drained soil.
Countries/locations it is found in
Argentina, Asia, Brazil (country/location of origin), China, Indonesia, Paraguay, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin), Uruguay (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The flowers are eaten raw or cooked.
It is a cultivated ornamental plant.
Edible parts
Flowers
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed. They can be grown from cuttings of young shoots or half-ripe wood.
Its other names
Local names
Bunga lampion jepang