Genus: 11 species.
Region: South America, Peru, Ecuador, Central America, Mexico, West Indies.Africa; introduced in Asia.
Habitat: weedy fields, waste ground; lowland tropical areas; at elevations below 400 metres.
Use: plant as fibre plant; roots and leaves as a medicine; stems for excellent fibre.
BotanyHerb; coarse; 1.5 metres tall.
Stem: erect, covered throughout with a rather dense tomentum of fine close stellate hairs; often bearing a few long spreading hairs.
Flowers: lack an epicalyx, differing from Hibisceae.