Common Name:

General Information

Corynabutilon vitifolium is an evergreen shrub, sometimes becoming tree-like. Normally growing around 2 metres tall, in favourable sites it can reach up to 9 metres[]. Plants are often deciduous in cold winters[]. The soft-wooded stems can be killed back in harsh winters, when the plant will act more like a herbaceous perennial.
Widely grown as an ornamental, being valued for its exuberant flowering display, the flowers can also be harvested as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Chile

Habitat

Open places in warm temperate forests[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	8.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Corynabutilon vitifolium is a plant of subtropical regions and is only hardy outdoors in the milder areas of the temperate zone. It can tolerate occasional temperatures down to between -5 to -10°c when given the protection of a sunny, sheltered facing wall[, , ]. A deep mulch in winter and tying in growth to the wall will maximise protection in winter[]. If the plant is cut back by cold weather, it will normally resprout from the base in the spring and can flower on the current year's growth[].
An easily grown plant, fast to establish and flower from seed and growing best in coastal areas[]. In hot summer climates it requires partial shade, plus ample humidity and moisture in the growing season[]. Requires a sunny position or part day shade in a fertile well-drained soil[]. Dislikes drought[]. Plants do not like windy conditions[].
A plant of the cultivar 'Album', growing in an open position at Westonbirt Arboretum, was 2 metres tall and flowering prolifically in June 1994[].
Plants tend to be short-lived in cultivation, dying suddenly without any apparent cause. This is probably because they flower so profusely that they die of exhaustion[]. They produce an abundance of fertile seed, however, and this normally breeds true to type, whether from the white or the purple-flowered form[]. Dead-heading plants to prevent seeding can enhance longevity[].
Tip-prune young plants to promote a bushy habit, older plants can be cut back hard annually in spring if required[].
There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[]. 'Album' has very nice tasting flowers[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Flowers - raw. The flowers are up to 8cm in diameter[]. A delicious mild flavour with a slight sweetness, they have a pleasant mucilaginous texture and can be eaten in quantity as part of a salad[].

Medicinal

The bark, stem and leaves are used to treat liver diseases and uterine contractions[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[]. Germination should take place within a few weeks. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots. Grow them on for at least the first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of young shoots, early summer in a frame[]. Grow on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant out in spring after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[]. Grow on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant out in spring after the last expected frosts.