Practical
Plants

Abutilon vitifolium

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Abutilon genus in the family Malvaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Malvaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
8 m
Spread
5 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Flowers - raw. The flowers are up to 8cm in diameter[5]. A delicious mild flavour with a slight sweetness, they have a pleasant mucilaginous texture and can be eaten in quantity as part of a salad[K].

Plant part
Flowers

Environment

Range
S. America - Chile.
Habitat
Open places in warm temperate forests[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[3]. Germination should take place within a few weeks. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots. Grow them on for at least the first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of young shoots, June in a frame[3]. Grow on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant out in spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[3]. Grow on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant out in spring after the last expected frosts.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant, fast to establish and flower from seed and growing best in coastal areas[6]. In hot summer climates it requires partial shade, plus ample humidity and moisture in the growing season[6]. Requires a sunny position or part day shade in a fertile well-drained soil[3]. Dislikes drought[3]. Plants do not like windy conditions[6]. This species is only hardy in the mildest areas of Britain, tolerating temperatures down to between -5 to -10°c when given the protection of a south or south-west facing wall[1][2][3]. Plants are often deciduous in cold winters[5]. A deep mulch in winter and tying in growth to the wall will maximise protection in winter[3]. If the plant is cut back by cold weather, it will normally resprout from the base in the spring and can flower on the current year's growth[4]. A plant of the cultivar 'Album', growing in an open position at Westonbirt Arboretum, was 2 metres tall and flowering prolifically in June 1994[K]. Plants tend to be short-lived in Britain, dying suddenly without any apparent cause. This is probably because they flower so profusely that they die of exhaustion[1]. They produce an abundance of fertile seed, however, and this normally breeds true to type, whether from the white or the purple-flowered form[1]. Dead-heading plants to prevent seeding can enhance longevity[3]. Tip-prune young plants to promote a bushy habit, older plants can be cut back hard annually in spring if required[3]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[3]. 'Album' has very nice tasting flowers[K]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[3].

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11

  4. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

    ↩

  5. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2

  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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