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Turk's-cap Mallow

Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii

Also listed as Malvaviscus drummondii

In the Carolinas and Georgia, found in open areas, streambanks, disturbed areas. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition What its natural habitat tells you

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Not scored

Native status unresolved in Louisiana. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 53%

Light
Partial shade, Full sun
Soil moisture
Dry to moist
Will it fit your yard?

At a glance

Bloom
June to October

Not yet recorded · Height · Spread · Life cycle · Leaves

This plant is missing most of its facts, so Quercus is looking them up in old botany books.

Recorded in 10 Louisiana parishes.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Streams, rivers and their banks

Flowing water and its banks, bars and rocky shoals.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Also found with this plant

Wildlife whose habitat models include habitats this plant grows in, in Louisiana. Shared habitat, not food. 56 animals.

Widespread birds also seen here (17)

Found in many habitats here, so not listed above.

All wildlife of Louisiana

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

10CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including LA

Genus host records with ranges including LA · Malvaviscus

  • Acharia stimuleaSaddleback Caterpillar Moth
  • Anomis erosaYellow Scallop Moth, Mallow Caterpillar
  • Anomis flavaTropical Anomis Moth
  • Anomis impastaGrey-Eyed Scalloped Moth
  • Automeris ioIo Moth
  • Eupithecia miserulataCommon Eupithacia, Common Pug
  • Meskea dyspterariaWindow-Winged Moth
  • Platynota rostranaOmnivorous Platynota
  • Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformisEvergreen Bagworm Moth
  • Bagisara brouana
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
1BirdsRecorded eating Malvaviscus in Louisiana

Diet records by plant genus, from studies across North America. Not a record from this state. Birds whose range includes Louisiana, most records first.

Avian Diet Database (Hurlbert Lab)

Direct food only. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Birds that eat Malvaviscus 1

Diet records by plant genus, from studies across North America. Not a record from this state. Avian Diet Database (Hurlbert Lab), CC0 1.0.

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Malvaceae

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii; Turk's cap Mallow

Conservation status

Louisiana rankSNR
Global rankGNR
LA statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

In your garden

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Sources