Abelmoschus manihot
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Hibiscus manihot
- Phonetic Spelling
- a-bel-MOS-kus MAN-ee-hoat
- Description
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Sunset huskmallow is a perennial shrubby plant in the mallow family (Malvaceae). It is native to tropical regions of southeast Asia and can be found growing along streams and ponds.
This plant grows easily and quickly in well-drained, evenly moist, loamy soils in the full sun and prefers humid conditions. It will reach 4-6 feet tall with a 2-3 feet spread. It easily self-seeds in the garden. Prune it to the ground in winter to rejuvenate growth in the spring.
The large lemon-yellow flowers last only a day but the long bloom season makes up for it. It doesn't bloom well once day-length drops below 12 hurs. The leaves are ornamental as well as being edible. In cooler climates, it can be grown as an annual. Although related to okra the seed pods are not edible. Deer tend to leave this plant alone.
Use this plant in the back of the border, in a pollinator garden or in a vegetable garden, In cooler climates use it as an annual or in a container. It will also do well planted along streams, ponds and ditches.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, slugs, and whiteflies can be problems. Root nematodes.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Abelmoschus
- Species:
- manihot
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Seeds have been used to make perfume. Bark and sap are used in herbal medicine.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- India to Central China and Malesia
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators.
- Edibility:
- Young leaves are edible, raw or cooked, and are mucilaginous. They are a good source of vitamins and iron.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Common name muskmallow refers to the fragrant seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Pale yellow with a maroon center 4 to 5 inches in diameter. Five-petaled flowers last one day, but plant blooms midsummer into fall.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Palmatifid
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Up to 11 inches in diameter, dissected with five to nine lobes. Leaves are slightly pubescent above and below.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Erect, woody, branching and pubescent
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heat
- Humidity
