Malvaviscus arboreus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Malvaviscus arboreus |
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Malvaviscus
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arboreus
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Meet the Turkcap plant! It's also known as Turk's turban, wax mallow, ladies teardrop, or Scotchman's purse. This amazing flowering plant belongs to the hibiscus family, called Malvaceae.
You can find it growing naturally in the Southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. Its scientific name, Malvaviscus arboreus, means 'tree-like' because older plants can look like small trees. Turkcap flowers don't open all the way. This special shape helps them attract butterflies and hummingbirds, which love their nectar!
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Where Turkcap Plants Grow
The Turkcap plant, Malvaviscus arboreus, is native to Central America, Mexico, and the Gulf Coast of the United States. It often grows as a small shrub under taller trees in places like coastal Texas and Louisiana.
Turkcap's Home and Friends
In Texas, the Turkcap plant is a common shrub found under larger trees. It's a very important food source for hummingbirds. Female and young Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Black-chinned Hummingbirds especially love its nectar.
Each Turkcap flower lasts for two days. It has more sweet nectar on its first day. This plant is also the main food for the caterpillars of a butterfly called the Turk's-cap White-Skipper. You can even find Malvaviscus arboreus growing in the Petenes mangroves in Mexico's Yucatán region.
Growing Turkcap Plants
People often grow Malvaviscus arboreus in their gardens. It's a popular choice for gardens that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. You can plant it in places that are shady or sunny.
You can start new Turkcap plants in two ways. You can use fresh seeds or take small cuttings from a soft part of the plant. These plants usually bloom, or flower, from May all the way through November. If the winter is mild, they might even keep blooming!
Different Kinds of Turkcap
Just like there are different types of apples, there are also different types, or varieties, of the Turkcap plant. These varieties have slight differences in how they look or grow. Some of the known varieties include:
- Malvaviscus arboreus var. arboreus
- Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii
- Malvaviscus arboreus var. mexicanus
See also
In Spanish: Malvaviscus arboreus para niños
