It can be found in many tropical places including in the United States,[1] South America, Asia, Australia, and several islands.

[2] It's known by many names including mazapan, Turk's cap mallow, cardinal's hat, firecracker hibiscus, sleeping hibiscus, and sleepy mallow;[3][4] some of these names are shared with other flowers, most especially Malvaviscus arboreus.

Its name penduliflorus means "hanging flower"[5] It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant, though it can also be eaten.

[6] Like other members the Malvaviscus genus, M. penduliflorus produces sap and small red fruits.

It is unknown where Malvaviscus penduliflorus is native to, though speculated to be Mexico,[2][3] possibly as a cultivation of M.