''Abroma augustum'', sometimes written ''Abroma augusta'', Devil's cotton, is a species of '' Abroma'' (

Sterculiaceae Sterculiaceae was a family of flowering plant based on the genus ''Sterculia''. Genera formerly included in Sterculiaceae are now placed in the family Malvaceae, in the subfamilies: Byttnerioideae, Dombeyoideae, Helicteroideae and Sterculioideae. A ...

, or

Malvaceae Malvaceae, or the mallows, is a family of flowering plants estimated to contain 244 genera with 4225 known species. Well-known members of economic importance include okra, cotton, cacao and durian. There are also some genera containing familiar ...

in some classifications). It has dark red flowers with an characteristic and unusual appearance. It is widely distributed in Asia. It was previously thought to grow in north

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

but the most recent survey did not find it. The leaves and stems are covered with soft bristly hairs that are very irritating to the touch. The bark yields a jute-like fiber. The species was first described, as ''Theobroma augustum'' (or ''Theobroma augusta'') by

Carl Linnaeus Carl Linnaeus (; 23 May 1707 – 10 January 1778), also known after his ennoblement in 1761 as Carl von Linné Blunt (2004), p. 171. (), was a Swedish botanist, zoologist, taxonomist, and physician who formalised binomial nomenclature, the ...

in 1768.

Cultivation

In the greenhouse, plants bloom from late spring to early summer. Dark maroon flowers are formed in terminal panicles. Individual flowers are up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) across. ''Abroma augustum'' is propagated from seed. Seed germinate in 21–30 days at 72 °F (24 °C).

References

Byttnerioideae Flora of Asia Plants described in 1768 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus {{Byttnerioideae-stub