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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Flowers - raw. The flowers are up to 8cm in diameter[1]. 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].

Flowers

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Abutilon vitifolium.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Abutilon vitifolium.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[2]. 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[2]. 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[2]. Grow on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant out in spring after the last expected frosts.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Abutilon vitifolium. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

An easily grown plant, fast to establish and flower from seed and growing best in coastal areas[3]. In hot summer climates it requires partial shade, plus ample humidity and moisture in the growing season[3]. Requires a sunny position or part day shade in a fertile well-drained soil[2]. Dislikes drought[2]. Plants do not like windy conditions[3].

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[4][5][2]. Plants are often deciduous in cold winters[1]. A deep mulch in winter and tying in growth to the wall will maximise protection in winter[2]. 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[6]. 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[4]. They produce an abundance of fertile seed, however, and this normally breeds true to type, whether from the white or the purple-flowered form[4]. Dead-heading plants to prevent seeding can enhance longevity[2]. Tip-prune young plants to promote a bushy habit, older plants can be cut back hard annually in spring if required[2]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[2]. 'Album' has very nice tasting flowers[K].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Abutilon vitifolium. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Abutilon vitifolium.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Abutilon vitifolium
Genus
Abutilon
Family
Malvaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    8 x 5 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins ISBN 0-00-219220-0 (1983-00-00)
    2. ? 2.002.012.022.032.042.052.062.072.082.092.102.11 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. ISBN 0-330-37376-5 (1998-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    5. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
    6. ? Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. ISBN 0-670-82929-3 (1990-00-00)