Melochia umbellata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melochia umbellata |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Melochia
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| Species: |
umbellata
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Melochia umbellata is a type of flowering plant in the mallow family, called Malvaceae. Its scientific name, umbellata, comes from a Latin word meaning "umbel-like." This describes how its flowers grow in a cluster.
What Does It Look Like?
Melochia umbellata can be a shrub or a small tree. It usually grows between 2 and 15 meters (about 6 to 49 feet) tall. This plant grows very fast. It can quickly start growing in places where the land has been disturbed.
Its leaves are large and wide, shaped like an oval. They can be 90 to 300 millimeters (about 3.5 to 12 inches) long. The flowers are often light pink to red. The seeds have small "wings" on them. This helps the wind carry them far away to new places.
Where Does It Grow?
This plant is originally from a large area. This area stretches from India across Southeast Asia. It goes all the way to north-western Australia and New Guinea. You can find it in places where forests have been cleared. It also grows on rocky hillsides and along the edges of rivers. It often prefers soil that gets dry during certain seasons.
People have also planted Melochia umbellata in other parts of the world. It is often grown to provide shade for young trees. This is common in timber and coffee plantations. Animals like cows and goats also enjoy eating it.
However, in some places, like the Island of Hawaiʻi, it has become an invasive weed. It was planted a lot in the Hilo area in the 1920s. This was part of a program to regrow forests. Now, it spreads too much and can harm local plants.
