Abroma augustum

Abroma augustum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Abroma
Species: A. augustum
Binomial name
Abroma augustum
(L.) L.f.
Synonyms[1]
  • Abroma alata Blanco
  • Abroma angulata Lam.
  • Abroma angulosa Poir.
  • Abroma communis Blanco
  • Abroma denticulata Miq.
  • Abroma elongata Lam.
  • Abroma fastuosa R.Br.
  • Abroma javanica Miq.
  • Abroma mariae Mart.
  • Abroma mollis DC.
  • Abroma obliqua C.Presl
  • Abroma sinuosa G.Nicholson
  • Abroma wheleri Retz.
  • Ambroma augustum (L.) L. f.
  • Herrania mariae (Mart.) Decne. ex Goudot
  • Theobroma augustum L.
  • Theobroma mariae (Mart.) K. Schum.

Abroma augustum, sometimes written Abroma augusta,[2] Devil's cotton, is a species of Abroma (Malvaceae). It has dark red flowers with an characteristic and unusual appearance. It is widely distributed in Asia. It was previously thought to grow in north Queensland 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.

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 2130 days at 72 °F (24 °C).

Uses

It is a medicinal plant with a wide variety of reported uses, including as an abortifacient and for treating uterine disorders, diabetes, rheumatic joint pain, headaches with sinusitis, dysmenorrhoea, gonorrhea, stomachache, diabetes and dermatitis.[3][4]

References

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