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Turkscap

Malvaviscus drummondii (M. arboreus var. drummondii)

Description:

This spreading shrub, often as broad as high, grows 2-3 ft., sometimes reaching 9 ft. Bright-red, pendant, hibiscus-like flowers never fully open, their petals overlapping to form a loose tube with the staminal column protruding, said to resemble a Turkish turban, hence its most common name, Turks cap. Especially useful in shady situations.

Habitat:

Wildlife habitat yard.

Notes:

The Mexican apple is a low-growing perennial shrub that typically grows in shaded woodlands and spreads easily and quickly by underground runners. It is also a very common landscape plant and is one of the easiest wild edibles to transplant into your own yard. The opposite, thick leaves often look like baseball mits and are the size of the average palm on a hand. The tiny red flowers on top of the plant do look like Turk’s caps that eventually turn into tiny, red apple-like fruits. It can be found growing wild and in landscapes throughout Texas. Beginning in late winter, the tender young leaves sprout from the perennial roots, giving us some greens for salads or cooking. As the weather heats up and the plants get bigger, the leaves quickly loose their tenderness, become a little fuzzy and are better cooked or used for dolmas. Harvest the beautiful, red flowers in late spring and summer to adorn your salads. But remember to leave some blooms to the bees so that the plant will produce the sugary, cucumber-tasting Mexican apples in the fall. Turks cap leaves should be washed and hydro-cooled and can be stored for a couple of days fresh. They can also be preserved like grape leaves. The flowers are extremely perishable and should be plucked just before they are served fresh. You can also dry the flowers and make a hibiscus-like tea out of them – the Mexican apple plant is related to hibiscus. Whether they are the size of marbles or pinballs, Mexican apples shrivel quickly due to their low water content and should be eaten or processed soon after harvest. http://www.wildedibletexas.com/2012/06/t...

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joanbstanley
Spotted by
joanbstanley

Denton, Texas, USA

Spotted on Aug 17, 2013
Submitted on Aug 18, 2013

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