ExplorePlants

Turk's cap

Malvaviscus arboreus

Turk's cap is a beautiful flower that looks like a little red hat! It grows in warm places and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, making gardens colorful and lively.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Turk's cap has vibrant, scarlet-red flowers that never fully open, resembling a miniature Turkish turban. Its crinkled petals stay tightly furled, making it visually distinct from its fully-blooming hibiscus relatives. Lush, dark green, somewhat lobed leaves provide a verdant backdrop.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalvalesFamilyMalvaceaeGenusMalvaviscus
Turk's cap
flowering trait badgeshrub trait badgesummer_blooming trait badgetube_flower trait badge
Turk's cap

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

4

Interesting facts

Its scientific name, Malvaviscus, means 'sticky mallow', perhaps for its sap!

The bright red blooms are like a welcome sign, especially for busy hummingbirds!

Wow! Its flowers never fully open, always keeping their unique 'turban' shape!

You can sometimes find a tiny, ripe, apple-like fruit hidden within its unfurled flower!

Special abilities

Ability

Hummingbird Magnet

Turk's cap has bright red, tubular flowers that perfectly fit hummingbird beaks, attracting them for pollination and ensuring its reproduction.

Ability

Desert Survivor

Turk's cap can thrive in dry, hot conditions thanks to its tough leaves and roots, helping it survive harsh environments.

Ability

Snack Supplier

Turk's cap has edible flowers and leaves, offering a nutritious food source for various animals and even humans.

Measurements & details

Height
100-300 cm
Spread
100-200 cm
Flower Size
2-5 cm
Bloom Season
Summer to Fall
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Bird

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Red mallowTurk's cap hibiscus

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before picking flowers and be gentle with plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Turk's cap?

The easiest way to identify Turk's cap is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How tall is Turk's cap?

100-300 cm

How wide does Turk's cap spread?

100-200 cm

How big are the flowers on Turk's cap?

2-5 cm

When does Turk's cap bloom?

Summer to Fall

Is Turk's cap edible?

Yes

Is Turk's cap toxic?

None

What is Turk's cap's lifecycle?

Perennial

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

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Where to spot

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