Chinese Lanterns

Back at the end of April I reworked my back garden to include a path from the chickens to the compost and in the process had to move a Chinese Lantern (Abutilon) plant that would have been 1m across and covered in buds ready to flower. But I really wanted to shorten the distance I have to carry poop, so I cut it back, replanted it and crossed my fingers. It definitely sulked for a while over winter but eventually I saw new buds and now it’s flowering again. Granted it’s not quite as grandiose as it was… but it will get there!

After seeing how hardy they are I couldn’t resist picking up another one at the BOGI fair last weekend. It’s another orange one, but this one has a pinky-red calyx (so it’s totally different I swear….).

See the pink calyx? (The calyx is the part at the base of the flower that holds the petals.)

Chinese Lanterns are part of the Malvaceae family, which is the same family as mallow, hibiscus, okra, rosella, hollyhock and even cacao, and the flowers are edible. In fact, a quick google tells me that most plants in the Malvaceae family are edible - one notable exception is cotton which is quite poisonous (although check this out!). The Australian native Kurrajong tree (Brachychiton), is also in this family and is a popular bush tucker food.

My first plant has a small green calyx.

When I moved my original plant back in April, I took a few cuttings and even though it was kind of the wrong time of the year, quite a few struck and they are also known to self seed. I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for a few different colours and propagating what I’ve got for around the garden.