Plant Image
Flower


Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants

Abutilon abutiloides - shrubby Indian mallow

Synonyms: Abutilon americanum, Abutilon jacquinii, Abutilon lignosum, Sida tomentosa , Sida tricuspidata
Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub

Family: Malvaceae


   
 
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Leaves
Ries Lindley @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Attribution-Non-Commercial (CC BY-NC)
Plant
Sue Carnahan @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: CC BY-NC (Attribution-Non-Commercial)
Fruit
Sue Carnahan @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: CC BY-NC (Attribution-Non-Commercial)
Forb Plant Description

Origin: Native   Life Cycle: Perennial   Similar Species: Abutilon californicum, Abutilon berlandieri, Abutilon pringlei
General Desc: Form somewhat shrubby, slightly woody at the base; stems slender, erect with soft hairs, becoming smooth; all herbage is covered with hairs forming star-like clusters; stamens in a hairy column; dry fruit splits apart at maturity.
Identification notes: Dark green to grayish-green subshrub to 5 feet tall, mostly ascending-erect stems, star-like hairs throughout; leaves to 4 inches long, longer than wide; yellowish-orange flowers; sepals shorter than fruits; fruits have 8 to 10 sections.
Height: To 5 feet


Habitat

Habitat Description: Open arid habitat, often at the base of granite boulders.
Plant Communities: Desert Scrub, Interior Chaparral
Elevation: Below 4000 feet


Flower Characteristics

Color: Yellowish-orange     Shape: Regular in elongated clusters     Tubular: N     Flowering Period: Aug - Dec
Description: Sepals 1/2 inch long, tips squared off; pedicel (stalk of a single flower in a seedhead) to 2 inches long, solitary or in elongated clusters, petals 5, 1/2 inch long; stamens are fused in a central column that surrounds an 8 to 10 branched style.


Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Dark green to grayish-green     Leaf Type: Simple     Leaf Shape: Triangular     Leaf Margin: Toothed     Leaf Attachment: Alternate     Leaves Clasp: N
Hairs: Leaves and stems     Spines: N
Leaf Description: Stems slender, upright, sparsely hairy becoming smooth; stipules 1/4 to 1/2 inch; leaves alternate and broadly ovate, 3/4 to 4 inches long, tapering to a sharp point, toothed along the margin, dark green above, with very dense gray matted hairs below.


Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Color: Brown    
Fruit Notes: The dry fruit (schizocarp) splits at maturity into 8 to 10 seeded sections; each is 1/2 inch diameter, 3/4 inch long covered with short, soft hairs forming a star shape, longer simple hairs on lower margin.
Seed Notes: Seeds are 3 per section, 1/8 inch, net-veined and minutely roughened.



  Arizona Cooperative Extension
Yavapai County
840 Rodeo Dr #C
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 445-6590
Version 8.0  
http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php  
Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022
Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson  
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