Abelmoschus manihot (South Sea Salad Tree)
Botanical name: Abelmoschus manihot
Common names: South Sea Salad Tree, Bele tree, Sunset Muskmallow, Sunset Hibiscus, Hibiscus Manihot
Family: Malvaceae
Origin: Southeast Asia
USDA Zone: 8-10
Cold tolerance: 20°F
Plant form: Large bush
Mature height: 5-10 ft
Sun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor
Cold tolerance: Tolerates light freezing to about 30°F for short periods (mature plants). Young plants must be protected.
Watering: Regular
Flower color: White and off-white; yellow, orange
Suitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
Ethnomedical: Ethnomedical plant, traditionally used in folk or indigenous medicineIts palmate leaves are highly dissected with five to nine deep lobes. The largest, widest leaves form at the base of the plant, where there may be some small side branches. The blooms (4-5" in diameter) are pale yellow with a dark maroon to purple center eye, and emerge from the terminal end of a central flowering stalk.It is easily propagated from cuttings, easy to cultivate, relatively disease-resistant and even is considered to be of medicinal value. It is widely planted either along borders of gardens or as an intercrop throughout many traditional gardens in the tropics. A nice flowering addition to the vegetable garden.
Similar plants: Abelmoschus manihot (South Sea Salad Tree)
