The genus Pavonia  is belonging to the Malvaceae (mallow) family, comprises 250 species worldwide. Pavonia species are distributed throughout Central and South America as well as in the southern and eastern parts of Africa with some species in West Africa as well as in India and eastern Australia.

Pavonia praemorsa is a flowering shrub in the  Malvaceae family. Plant is endemic to the southern coast of South Africa. The genus Pavonia is named in honor of J. Pavon, a Spanish botanist. Its epithet, praemorsa, originates from a Latin word meaning ‘appearing to have been bitten off’, in reference to the shape of its leaves’ tips. The plant is also called; Shell Flower and Butter Bits in English.

Yellow Mallow is a perennial evergreen plant with slender stems. Plant can grow up to two meters tall and two meters wide.  Roughly textured leaves are shiny, and leathery, paler below, with attractively scalloped margins and indented leaf tips. The funnel-shaped, single flower of the plant has bright yellow petals with reddish veins and a yellow stamen. It flowers year-round, with its peak blooming seasons being spring and autumn. Its flower is attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Each flower only lasts a day, and in the late afternoon flower twists tightly closed and turns a beautiful deep red-pink colour with orange undertones, before dropping to the ground. The fruit is a small, dry capsule, enclosed by the calyx.

Pavonia praemorsa requires bright, indirect sunlight or partial shade for optimal growth. It prefers well-drained soil which can be enriched with some compost. It is drought hardy as it needs only a moderate amount of water, it also resist to coastal conditions. It withstands temperatures as low as −9.0 °C. Propagation is done by stem cuttings or from seed. Lightly prune may be necessary after flowering to neaten, or to shape into a low informal hedge.

Use in Landscape:  Yellow Mallow is primarily used for ornamental purposes due to its attractive flowers. The plant has a compact growth habit, which makes it an ideal choice for smaller gardens, patios or as a container plant. It is a rewarding shrub for the home garden with year-round blossoms and low maintenance requirements. As it responds very well to light pruning, has great potential to even be trained into a small formal hedge.

Pavonia praemorsa is also used as a medicinal plant in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of ailments such as coughs, colds, and fever. The leaves and roots of the plant contain several compounds known to be effective against certain bacterial and fungal infections.