Chocolateweed (Melochia corchorifolia, Sp. Pl.: 675 (1753))

Family: Malvaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 675 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Melochia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. Old World

Description

Chocolateweed, known scientifically as Melochia corchorifolia, is a fascinating member of the Malvaceae family. First cataloged by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753 in his seminal work “Species Plantarum”, this plant has garnered attention for its unique characteristics and widespread presence in both tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World.

The plant is easily distinguishable by its ornate, star-shaped leaves and delicate, pink to lavender flowers that bloom throughout much of the year. These blossoms are not just visually appealing but also attract a variety of pollinators, contributing to the plant’s ecological significance. Chocolateweed thrives in a range of environments—from moist lowlands to dry hillsides—showcasing its adaptability and resilience.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Melochia corchorifolia is its traditional use in various cultural practices. In several regions, different parts of the plant have been employed in folk medicine, believed to possess therapeutic properties that aid in treating ailments like dysentery and fevers. While scientific studies are still ongoing, these traditional applications hint at the plant’s potential medicinal value.

Despite its benefits, chocolateweed is also considered an invasive species in certain areas, where its rapid growth can outcompete native flora, leading to ecological imbalances. Thus, managing its spread is crucial to maintaining local biodiversity.

Overall, Melochia corchorifolia presents a rich tapestry of botanical interest, cultural significance, and ecological impact. Its classification by Linnaeus laid the groundwork for understanding its role in the natural world, and ongoing studies continue to uncover the depths of its potential uses and challenges.

Common Names

Eng: chocolateweed, chocolate weed, hirsute melochia, redweed
En: Chocolateweed, Chocolate-Weed, Chocolate Weed, Hirsute melochia, Redweed
Bm: Falagɔn
Zh: 野路葵
Ff: Tukurra
Ha: Tukura
Ko: 불암초
Ml: ചെറു ഊരം
Zh-tw: 野路葵

Synonyms

• Riedlea concatenata (DC.)
• Melochia supina (L.)
• Mougeotia corchorifolia ((L.) Kunth)
• Hibiscus donii (Walp.)
• Melochia concatenata (L.)
• Lochemia supina ((DC.) Arn. ex Voigt)
• Riedlea radiata (Blume)
• Geruma subtriloba (Blanco)
• Sida cuneifolia (Roxb.)
• Lochemia corchorifolia ((L.) Arn.)
• Riedlea capitata (Bojer)
• Melochia pauciflora (Wall.)
• Hibiscus endlicheri (Walp.)
• Visenia supina ((L.) Spreng.)
• Visenia concatenata (Spreng.)
• Visenia corchorifolia ((L.) Spreng.)
• Melochia affinis (Wall.)
• Melochia capitata (Bojer)
• Melochia burmanni (Zoll. & Moritzi)
• Hibiscus ramosus (D.Dietr.)
• Melochia erecta (Burm.f.)
• Polychlaena ramosa (G.Don)
• Polychlaena simplex (G.Don)
• Riedlea supina ((L.) DC.)
• Riedlea corchorifolia ((L.) DC.)
• Riedlea truncata (DC.)
• Hibiscus simplex (D.Dietr.)
• Melochia fasciculata (Noronha)

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Benin (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Caroline Is. (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chad (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Congo (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Guinea-Bissau (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Hainan (native)
• India (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Mali (native)
• Marianas (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nepal (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• Niger (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Solomon Is. (native)
• Somalia (native)
• South China Sea (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Togo (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Nicobar Is. (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Panamá (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Jan 13, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 13, 2019 by Rajendra Rajendra Choure (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)

Flower

Taken Aug 13, 2020 by myrine baylon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Marco Schmidt (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − David Gwynne-Evans (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 5, 2021 by irshad alam (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 27, 2020 by akuroyena-a akuroyena-a harry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 11, 2022 by Aboalfotooh Yemen WILD life (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2020 by Godbless Filex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2020 by Godbless Filex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2021 by jen santos (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 28, 2020 by Chris Griggs (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2022 by prasantahembram (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 6, 2021 by pierre vernet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − David Gwynne-Evans (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3152125)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:824444-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Melochia corchorifolia L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Subshrub, Forb/herb

Growth