A Georgia-Costa Rica connection

I’ve found these wax mallows (Malvaceae, Malvaviscus spp.) in both Savannah and Costa Rica. The species’ range of  M. arboreus – the likely Georgia resident – extends into South America, but there is an endemic to Costa Rica — M. palmanus. The specimen from Las Alturas has pubescent stems and sepals, but I’m not sure if this is characteristic.

A malvaceae in Las Alturas probably in genus Malvaviscus.
Malvaviscus aboreus in Savannah.