Teabush, Pyramid Bush,

Woolly Pyramid Flower

Melochia tomentosa L.

mel-OAK-ee-ah toe-men-TOE-saw

Sterculiaceae

Explanation of name: Generic name from Greek for honey-bearing.  Tomentose means fuzzy.

Natural range: South Florida (especially probably Miami-Dade and Monroe counties) and South Texas to South America.

Recognition: Very fuzzy shrub with lanceolate serrate leaves and with pink (to nearly blue) round flowers having a yellow eye.

Landscape uses: Tough drought-tolerant, poor-soil-tolerant shrub with modest but attractive flowers and fuzzy small leaves.

Internet sources: http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/shrubs/Melochia tomentosa.pdf

http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=METO4