Abutilon pictum - Flowering maple
Family Malvaceae
Description:
About one hundred species of Abutilon are native to Africa, Asia, North and South America, with one species in Europe. These are herbaceous plants and shrubs. Some are agricultural weeds. One species, okra, is eaten by people. Abutilon pictum is native to South America. It has leaves that are reminescent of maple leaves. They may be low, creeping plants or large shrubs. Looking closely at the hanging bell-shaped flowers, it is easy to see that they are related to hibiscus. Flowers may be shades of yellow, pink, orange or red. Many of the plants cultivated in gardens are hybrids of this species.
Location:
See plants on the west side of building 2 and at University Center.
Size:
Flowering maples range from creepers a few inches tall to shrubs that can grow to twelve feet tall or more.
Care Instructions:
Light: full sun to part shade
Water: moist, well-drained soil, not very drought tolerant
Soil: adaptable to soil types, responds well to fertilizer, no other special requirements
Flowering maples can grow very fast in a well-drained soil with irrigation and fertilizer. They flower on new growth throughout the growing season. Some varieties grow better in north Florida than others. UNF's plants are the sturdiest selections from a wholesale nursery that tested dozens of varieties in Jacksonville.