The gingerbush (Pavonia spinifex (L.) Cavanilles) is a tropical American member of the Malvaceae or hibiscus family. Gingerbush bears five-petaled yellow flowers arising singly from the axes of the leaves. The fruit is a schizocarp, which splits into five mericarps each having a single seed. The fruit is both interesting and annoying.

Antonio José Cavanilles named the genus in 1786 in honor of José Antonio Pavón. In the instance of this species, perhaps it was not an honor: the epithet, spinifex, means "bearing spines". Each mericarp has three spine-like awns which snag fur or clothing of passers-by. The awns will continue to 'work' their way tighter into fur (or clothes) until the tips scratch and irritate the skin. If not removed carefully, the tips of the awns break off under the skin.

Gingerbush has naturalized in Florida and in coastal areas of South Carolina.

The Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants, Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida has a photograph of Pavonia spinifex in flower. To view the photograph, click on the link:

http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/images.asp?plantID=894#

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the image.