Melochia spicata

Native to tropical and subtropical America, this woody shrub or herbaceous plant can reach about 3.5 feet tall. It is found in open, disturbed ground and seasonally dry tropical habitats. Clusters of small five-petalled flowers form along the upper stems, with colours including lilac, pink, purple, and white. The stems are hairy, and the flower centres carry five stamens. In Costa Rica, it grows along roads and in pastures, with records from about 330 to 2,550 feet. Photographed in Colombia.