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Abutilon pictum 'Thompsonii'
| Family Name: | Malvaceae |
| Common Name: | Flowering Maple, Parlor Maple, Thompson's Flowering Maple |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 1.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | South America, notably Brazil and Uruguay |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | An evergreen shrub which grows fast and upright, up to 1 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Foliage is variegated with green and yellow due to the Abutilon mosaic virus which is harmless to humans. Leaf blades palmate-shaped, 3 - 5 lobes, measuring 5 - 8 cm, smooth, margin dentate or serrate, apex acuminate; stipules subulate, caducous; petiole measuring 3 - 5 cm, smooth, hairless. |
| Flowers | Flowers are bright orange in colour; solitary and axillary; corolla (petal) bell-shaped, obovate, measuring 3 - 5 cm; pedicel pendulous, measuring 7 - 10 cm, smooth; calyx (sepal) bell-shaped, 5 lobes, ovate - lanceolate. |
| Associated Fauna | Hummingbirds, butterflies |
| Cultivation | Cultivated worldwide for its attractive and showy variegated leaves and bright orange bell-shaped flowers. |
| Etymology | The genus Abutilon is the Arabic name for mallow The specific epithet pictum means decorate leaves |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Hedge / Screening, Container Planting |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Invasive / Potentially Invasive |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting (Flowers), Butterfly-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Vertebrates (Bird)) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Yellow / Golden |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green, Yellow / Golden |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Palmate) |
| Foliar Venation | Palmate |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed, Dentate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Orange |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Individual Flower Shape | Campaulate / Bell-shaped |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 287 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1583 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
