Callianthe picta, formerly Abutilon pictum, and red vein Chinese lanterns. Callianthe striata (formerly A. striatum) is sometimes considered a synonym of C. picta.

Description

Abutilon pictum is a shrub growing to tall by wide. The leaves are 5–15 cm long, three- to five- (rarely seven-) lobed.

The yellow to orange-red bell shaped flowers have prominent dark red veining, with five petals 2–4 cm long. It blooms from April to September, and longer in warmer subtropical areas. The flowers attract pollinators, such as native bees and hummingbirds.

Uses

Culinary

The flowers are edible, raw or cooked, with the sweet flavor increasing the longer the bloom is open.

Cultivars

Note: both Abutilon pictum and Abutilon striatum are susceptible to Abutilon mosaic virus - while A. pictum simply gets crinkly leaves, A. striatum develops a mottled or variegated leaf that is prized, and often sold as a different variety, notably "Gold dust" in Hawaii.

  • 'Mardi Gras' — Mardi Gras abutilon (syn: Abutilon pictum 'Aureomaculatum'); very vigorous form to 10 ft. by 10 ft. but can be kept smaller/espaliered, has large green leaves splashed boldly with gold, narrow light orange flowers.
  • 'Thompsonii' — variegated Thompson's abutilon (syn: Abutilon striatum 'Thompsonii'); speckled yellow and green variegated leaves, orange flowers: this cultivar has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

References

  • LORENZI, H.; SOUZA, M.S. (2001) Plantas Ornamentais no Brasil: arbustivas, herbáceas e trepadeiras. Plantarum
  • PFAF—Plants For A Future, Plant Database: Abutilon pictum