Pale pavonia is a native of South America that's been showing up in Austin nurseries these last few years. They are crazy about it in Australia, where there is an ongoing argument whether it is a native or introduced. It is introduced to the United States and in Florida and Georgia it has since escaped into the wild. In my yard, too, pale pavonia self-seeds as if it were an annual rather than a shrub. Related to Pavonia lasiopetala (rockrose), but it forms a larger, weedier bush. Like kittens and kids, it's cute when it's small, but a bit of a pest when it grows up. I let it stay because I can't resist its pale hibiscus-like flowers.

Some of the flowers may be cleistogamous (they produce seeds without opening). Early in the summer, my bushes are covered with seedpods from blooms that have decided it's still to cold for them to open.