Malvaviscus penduliflorus is a flowering plant in the family Malvaceae. It can be found in many tropical places including in the United States, South America, Asia, Australia, and several islands.
It's known by many names including mazapan, Turk's cap mallow, cardinal's hat, firecracker hibiscus, sleeping hibiscus, and sleepy mallow; some of these names are shared with other flowers, most especially Malvaviscus arboreus. Its name penduliflorus means "hanging flower"
It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant, though it can also be eaten.
Description It is a perennial shrub that can reach up to tall. It produces red hanging tubular flowers with stamens that stick out. It has pointed, ovular leaves and hairy stems. Like other members the Malvaviscus genus, M. penduliflorus produces sap and small red fruits.
Distribution It is unknown where Malvaviscus penduliflorus is native to, though speculated to be Mexico, possibly as a cultivation of M. arboreus. It is cultivated and naturalized throughout tropical climates including North and South America, Oceania including Australia and New Zealand, Africa, Asia, and some islands.
Synonyms
Malvaviscus longifolius (A. St.-Hil.) Spach Malvaviscus arboreus var. longifolius Schery M. arboreus var. penduliflorus (DC.) Schery Malvaviscus arboreus subsp. penduliflorus (DC.) Hadac
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