Midday flower
Pentapetes phoenicea

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A herb or small shrub. It grows 0.3-1.2 m high. The flowers are 3-4 cm wide. The flower petals are red. The fruit is a 5-valved hairy capsule. The seeds are black with white processes.

Some authorities put it in the Sterculiaceae and Pentapetaceae. There is only one Pentapetes.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in wet places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Haiti, India (country/location of origin), Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Pacific, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

It is used to make a herbal tea.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Arkavallabha, Ban-duja, Bandhuli, Bare baha, Bo hoang, Bunga tengah hari, Chettu, Copper cups, Dopahariya, Duporio, Dupahariya, Kat-lata, Kro chieb, Makina, Nguphuong, Paw seng, Scarlet mallow, Scarlet phoenician, Sowbhagya-sundari, Tambdi-dupari, Tambridupari, Tingo

Synonyms

Cavanilla phoenicea J. F. Gmel.; and others