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Rock Rose (Malvaceae): A Relative of Abutilon in Brooklyn's Prospect Park

A gardener found a shrubby plant (5-6 feet) blooming in deep shade in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. It had five-petaled red flowers and large maple-shaped leaves. They suspected Abutilon.

Abutilon?

Expert Confirmation

The plant is a relative of Abutilon—a rock rose or rose mallow. The mallow family includes hibiscus, okra, abutilon, flowering maple, turkscap, marshmallow, etc. Many native representatives exist in the US.

Identifying Unknown Plants: Hosta plantaginea: The Fragrant Species with Giant White Flowers; Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus); Hibiscus hamabo: Coastal Species; Mandrinette – Hibiscus boryanus; Furcraea macdougalii: A Giant, Trunk-Forming Relative of Agave; Euphorbia bupleurifolia: A Bizarre, Pineapple-Topped Succulent with a Caudex; Candelilla (Euphorbia antisyphilitica): A Leafless, Wax-Producing Shrub for Extreme Heat; Desert Rose (Adenium arabicum); Dorstenia gigas (Socotra Fig Tree); Abutilon 'Thompsonii' (Abutilon pictum 'Thompsonii')

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