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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)
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Subshrub , Shrub
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Inflorescence: Cyme , Umbel
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 8 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Pink , PurpleBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Bloom Notes: Flowers showy; hot pink or magenta.
Distribution
USA: FL , TXNative 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: SunSoil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Benefit
Attracts: ButterfliesNectar 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
Bibliography
Bibref 1290 - The Genus Melochia L. (Sterculiaceae) in Contributions from the United States National Herbarium, Volume 34, Part 5 (1967) Goldberg, AaronSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 57 - Atlas of Florida Plants (2020) Institute for Systematic BotanyWebref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Melochia tomentosa in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Melochia tomentosa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Melochia tomentosa
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-23Research By: Joseph A. Marcus