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Pyramid Bush

Melochia tomentosa

Other common name(s):

Teabush, Red Rope, Velvety Melochia, Kidney Bush, Woolly Pyramidflower

Family:

Malvaceae (Mallow Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
Lower Rio Grande Valley
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

3
to
8
ft.

Spread

2
to
6
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Rocky, Limestone, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Pink, Purple

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees

Maintenance

Drought tolerant shrub. Prefers dry, open places on rocky limestone hills, in thorn thickets, savanna, along roadsides. It will tolerate full sun to part shade with moist, well-drained lime rock or sandy soil.

Comments

Blooms March-November. Rare in the wild in the very southern tip of Texas, but propagated commercially. Long-lived perennial shrub, evergreen. Lance-shaped leaves covered with dense hairs. Pinkish-purple flowers bloom year round but most heavily fall to early spring. Attracts native bees, honey bees and butterflies.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym(s): Melochia tomentosa var. frutescens

References

1) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=503748#null, 2) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=14681&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 3) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Melochia+tomentosa&formsubmit=Search+Terms, 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=METO4, 5) https://www.fnps.org/plant/melochia-tomentosa, 6) https://littleredwagonnativenursery.com/products/teabush-melochia-tomentosa-3-gal, 7) https://levypreserve.org/plant-listings/melochia-tomentosa/

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Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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