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Abelmoschus moschatus subsp. tuberosus

I have not grown this plant which has no generally accepted common name. Abelmoschus moschatus subsp. tuberosus (tuberosa) is native to Australia, New Guinea and the islands of South East Asia. This prostrate, creeping plant's usual habitat is open woodlands which receive seasonal rains or grasslands being most often found on rocky hillsides. It originate's from an underground tuber to which it dies back in the dry season and from which it resprouts when rains return.

Abelmoschus moschatus subsp. tuberosus alternate, somewhat hairy, rough, 4-10cm x 4-8.5cm leaves have serrated edgesv. The plant varies in leaf shape with the lower (basal) leaves being more ovate or heart-shaped, angular or 3-7-palmately lobed or parted. The upper leaves are usually lobed or parted. The stems have hairs. The bloom color is also variable. They may be white, cream or yellow with a red or maroon centre or pink, watermelon pink to red with a darkered center. On sunny days, each flower stays fresh until mid-day and then starts to lose color after about 2 hours; however, new blooms appear each day. The flowers are followed by papery capsules whch hold black seeds.