Japanese name: ウキツリボク（浮釣木） Scientific name:Abutilon megapotamicum
[Overview]
An evergreen shrub growing to about 1.5 m tall.
The branches arch outward.
The leaves are simple and alternate, long lanceolate to long heart-shaped, 5–11 cm long, with coarse teeth on the margin.
The flowers are borne singly in the leaf axils and hang down on long flower stalks.
The flowers are yellow, five-petaled and about 3 cm across, and the petals emerge from a round, bell-shaped, inflated red calyx.
The staminal column is tinged with purple and projects out of the flower.
The fruit is a schizocarp.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
It can overwinter outdoors in warm regions south of the Kanto region.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
From spring to autumn, apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil.
Aphids can occur.
