Melochia pyramidata

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A herb. It can grow each year from seed or keep growing for some years. It has a woody rootstock. Young growth is hairy. Branches are slender. There are many small branches and they are usually hairy. The leaves are 2.2-6.5 cm long by 1-2.2 cm wide. They are oval and have prominent leaf stalks. There are teeth along the edge. The tip is pointed. The flowers are 1 cm across. They are purple. A few flowers occur together in clusters in the axils of leaves. The capsules are 0.8 cm long by 1.2 cm across and they are pyramid shaped. They have prominent angles.

There are about 55 Melochia species. They grow in the tropics. Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Argentina it grows between sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. It can grow up to 2,000 m.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Central America (country/location of origin), Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guiana, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Lesser Antilles, Marquesas, Mexico, North America, Pacific, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, South America (country/location of origin), Uruguay, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Caution: Poisonous to cattle

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Melochia domingensis Jacq.; Moluchia pyramidata (L.) Britton;