''Abroma augustum'', sometimes written ''Abroma augusta'', Devil's cotton, is a species of ''
Abroma'' (
Sterculiaceae
Sterculiaceae was a family of flowering plant based on the genus '' Sterculia''. Genera formerly included in Sterculiaceae are now placed in the family Malvaceae, in the subfamilies: Byttnerioideae, Dombeyoideae, Helicteroideae and Sterculioide ...
, or
Malvaceae
Malvaceae (), or the mallows, is a family of flowering plants estimated to contain 244 genera with 4225 known species. Well-known members of economic importance include Theobroma cacao, cacao, Cola (plant), cola, cotton, okra, Hibiscus sabdariffa, ...
in some classifications). It has dark red flowers with a characteristic and unusual appearance. It is widely distributed in Asia. It was previously thought to grow in north
Queensland
Queensland ( , commonly abbreviated as Qld) is a States and territories of Australia, state in northeastern Australia, and is the second-largest and third-most populous state in Australia. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Austr ...
but the most recent survey did not find it.
The leaves and stems are covered with soft bristly hairs that are very irritating to the touch. The bark yields a jute-like fiber. It is used as a traditional medicinal plant.
The species was first described, as ''Theobroma augustum'' (or ''Theobroma augusta'') by
Carl Linnaeus
Carl Linnaeus (23 May 1707 – 10 January 1778), also known after ennoblement in 1761 as Carl von Linné,#Blunt, Blunt (2004), p. 171. was a Swedish biologist and physician who formalised binomial nomenclature, the modern system of naming o ...
in 1768.
Cultivation
In the greenhouse, plants bloom from late spring to early summer. Dark maroon flowers are formed in terminal panicles. Individual flowers are up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) across.
''Abroma augustum'' is propagated from seed. Seed germinate in 21–30 days at 72 °F (24 °C).
References
Byttnerioideae
Flora of Asia
Plants described in 1768
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
{{Byttnerioideae-stub