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Marcus, Joseph A.

Melochia tomentosa

Melochia tomentosa L.

Pyramid Bush, Teabush, Red Rope, Velvety Melochia, Kidney Bush, Woolly Pyramidflower

Sterculiaceae (Cacao Family)

Synonym(s): Melochia tomentosa var. frutescens

USDA Symbol: METO4

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), PR (N), VI (N)

From the Image Gallery

17 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Subshrub , Shrub
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: magenta

Distribution

USA: FL , TX
Native Distribution: South Florida and South Texas in the US. Mexico, the West Indies and south to Brazil.
Native Habitat: Dry, open places on rocky limestone hills, in coastal thorn thickets, savanna, pineland, along roadsides, usually below 500 meters. (Goldberg).

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist

Benefit

Attracts: Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0469 Collected Jun 29, 1987 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe

1 specimen(s) available in the Digital Herbarium

Bibliography

Bibref 1290 - The Genus Melochia L. (Sterculiaceae) in Contributions from the United States National Herbarium, Volume 34, Part 5 (1967) Goldberg, Aaron

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

USDA: Find Melochia tomentosa in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Melochia tomentosa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Melochia tomentosa

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-09-02
Research By: JAM

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