Chinese lantern (Callianthe picta)
Description
Abutilon pictum — syn. Abutilon striatum,(disputed) and commonly known as redvein abutilon, red vein Indian mallow, redvein flowering maple, Chinese-lantern or red vein Chinese lanterns, is a species of Abutilon in the Malvaceae family. It is native to southern Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. The plant has become naturalised in Central America, and common in horticulture. Abutilon pictum is a shrub growing to 5 metres (16 ft) tall by 2 metres (6.6 ft) wide. The leaves are 5–15 cm long, three- to five- (rarely seven-) lobed. The yellow to orange-red bell shaped flowers have prominent dark red veining, with five petals 2–4 cm long. It blooms from April to September, and longer in warmer subtropical areas. The flowers attract pollinators, such as native bees and hummingbirds. The flowers are edible, raw or cooked, with the sweet flavor increasing the longer the bloom is open. Abutilon pictum is cultivated as a popular ornamental plant, for use in gardens in subtropical climates. They are also planted in containers or pots, on patios and balconies outdoors, or as winter house plants. The plant can grow in light shade or full sun, and is frost tender. It requires moist soil, growing suitably in fertile sandy, loamy, or well-drained clay soils.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum:
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Class: Magnoliopsida
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Order: Malvales
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Family: Malvaceae
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Genus: Abutilon
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