Manzanito, Wax mallow
Malvaviscus arboreus

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It grows about 2-4 m high. The leaves are long or heart shaped and velvety. They are 5-12 cm long. The leaves can have 3 lobes. The flowers are long and tapering. They face upwards. The fruit are small red berries.

There are 3-6 Malvaviscus species. They occur in tropical America.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Central America it grows from sea level to 2,000 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 8-12. Geelong Botanical Gardens. Wittunga Botanical Gardens. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Antilles, Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America (country/location of origin), China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Fiji, Himalayas, Indonesia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, North America (country/location of origin), Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, SE Asia, Slovenia, South America, USA, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Amapola, Amapolita, Arito blanco, Arito, Bejuquillo, Bup gian-xay, Catapachat, Chinese pinyin, Flor de arito, Flor de santo, Gagapache, Gkrum guada, Khursani phul, Manzana, Manzano, Monacillo, Obelisco, Ok-htok-pan, Quesillo, Quesito, Tripa de buey,Tulipancillo

Synonyms

Hibiscus malvaviscus Linn.;