Wax Mallow (Turk's Cap)

Description:

Family: Mallow (Malvaceae)

Height:3-4' (.9-1.2m)

Flower: bright red flower, 3/4-1 1/2" (2-4cm) long, has 5 broad petals twisted around each other (never unfurling) and long, protruding, redflower parts (stamens)

Leaf: broad velvety leaves, 3-5" (7.5-13cm) long, have 3 shallow lobes, heart shaped bases, round-toothed margins and long stalks; upright, woody, widely branched stems.

Fruit: apple-shaped green capsule, 1" (2.5cm) long, turns red

Habitat:

Bloom: spring, summer, fall

Origin: perennial; native

Habitat: partly shaded damp areas on hills, woodland edges, along creeks

Range: central, southeastern, and coastal Texas

Notes:

"Wax" in the common name is for the waxy appearance of the red petals. Sometimes called Turk's Cap for the resemblance of the closed blossom to a Turkish turban. The large amount of sweet flower nectar attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Flowers and fruit are edible, and the flower yields a red dye. This abundant shrubby perennial is frequently cultivated in gardens in the South. Prune in early spring, as only the new growth sprouts flowers.

Wildflowers of Texas Field Guide, Nora and Rick Bowers, Stan Tekiela, Adventure Publications Inc, Cambridge Minnesota, 2009

Other nicknames for the flower include: Turk's cap or Turkscap, Drummond's turkscap, Wax mallow, Drummond wax-mallow, Red mallow, Texas mallow, Mexican apple, Manzanilla, Sleeping hibiscus, Bleeding hearts http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result....