Plant DetailShow Menu

Chinese Lanterns Callianthe megapotamica

Previously known as:

  • Abutilon inflatum
  • Abutilon megapontamicum
  • Periptera megapotamica
  • Sida megapotamica
Phonetic Spelling
kal-lee-AN-thee meg-uh-poh-TAY-mih-kuh
Description

Brazillian Bellflower is a showy, partially evergreen, perennial shrub in the mallow family, native to Brazil. It has showy, red and yellow flowers that appear in late spring. Some benefits of this plant are that it is easy-to-grow, attracts hummingbirds, grows fast, and has unique flowers (that look like lanterns) up till frost. This plant could be used as an ornamental or be a great addition to a perrenial border.

Pruning should be done in late winter. If you want the plant to have a bushy form, you can prune as much as 40 percent the size.

Sometimes, spider mites or leggy growth can be a problem. You may have an allergic reaction or irritated skin if you touch the plant.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Marianne'
  • 'Thomsonii'
  • 'Variegatum'
  • 'Wisley Red'
'Marianne', 'Thomsonii', 'Variegatum', 'Wisley Red'
Tags:
#showy flowers#easy to grow#lantern
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Marianne'
  • 'Thomsonii'
  • 'Variegatum'
  • 'Wisley Red'
'Marianne', 'Thomsonii', 'Variegatum', 'Wisley Red'
Tags:
#showy flowers#easy to grow#lantern
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Callianthe
    Species:
    megapotamica
    Family:
    Malvaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Brazil
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Prostrate
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    The bell-shaped flowers have both male and female parts. These flowers look like lanterns, hang downwards, are 2 inches, and yellow petals underneath the red calyces.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis