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Abutilon fruticosum

(Redirected from Sweet Indian mallow)

Abutilon fruticosum is a widespread species of flowering plant in the mallow family known by the common names Texas Indian mallow, pelotazo, and sweet Indian mallow.

Texas Indian mallow
Flowers and fruits
Apparently Secure
Apparently Secure (NatureServe)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Abutilon
Species:
A. fruticosum
Binomial name
Abutilon fruticosum
Guill. & Perr. 1831
Synonyms[1]
List
  • Abutilon denticulatum (Fresen.) Webb
  • Abutilon dubium Mattei
  • Abutilon fruticosum var. chrysocarpum Blatt. & Hallb.
  • Abutilon fruticosum var. microphyllum (A.Rich.) Abedin
  • Abutilon fruticosum var. saidae Abedin
  • Abutilon microphyllum A.Rich.
  • Abutilon nuttallii Torr. & A.Gray
  • Abutilon texense Torr. & A.Gray
  • Sida amoena Wall.
  • Sida denticulata Fresen.
  • Sida gracilis R.Br.
  • Sida kotschyi Hochst. ex Mast.
  • Sida perrottetiana D. Dietr.

Description

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The perennial herb grows up to 1.8 metres (6 ft) tall, but usually not exceeding 90 centimetres (35 in). The alternately arranged leaves are up to 10 cm (4 in) long. The blades are thick and coated in hairs, appearing gray. The yellow-orange flowers are up to about 2.5 cm (1 in) wide. Flowering occurs in June through October in Texas.[2]

Distribution and habitat

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The plant is native to Africa, southern and southwestern Asia (from Saudi Arabia to India), northern Mexico, and the south-central United States.[3][4][5][6][7][8] It grows in chaparral and woodlands and on prairies. It grows on cliffs, slopes, and limestone outcrops.[2]

Ecology

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It is eaten by wild and domesticated ungulates. The seeds provide food for birds such as the bobwhite quail. The flowers attract birds and butterflies. It is host to larvae of a number of butterfly species.[2]

Uses

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The species is drought-tolerant and can be used in xeriscaping.[2]

References

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  1. ↑ The Plant List, Abutilon fruticosum Guill. & Perr.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Abutilon fruticosum. United States Department of Agriculture NRCS Plant Guide.
  3. ↑ Abutilon fruticosum. NatureServe.
  4. ↑ "Prota4u Record Display, Abutilon fruticosum Guill. & Perr". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-08-22.
  5. ↑ Flora of Pakistan
  6. ↑ Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
  7. ↑ Fryxell, P. A. 1988. Malvaceae of Mexico. Systematic Botany Monographs 25: 1–522.
  8. ↑ African Flowering Plants Database - Base de Donnees des Plantes a Fleurs D'Afrique. 2008
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