Abutilon species
Malvaceae: Mallow Family
Abutilon is a worldwide genus of plants found in the tropics and subtropics (including our subtropical deserts) of the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia. There are just over 200 accepted species of Abutilon, which is in the mallow family (Malcaceae). The species in our region are shrubs and perennials. But worldwide there are even some tree species found.
The flowers are important for native bees, and are also used by many other pollinators. These species are also larval host for several species of skippers and several moth species.
Butterfly Larval hosts in SE Arizona:
Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon istapa)
Texas Powdered Skipper (Systasea pulverulenta)
Arizona Powdered-Skipper (Systasea zampa)
Common Checkered-Skipper (Burnsius communis)
Erichson's White-Skipper (Heliopetes domicella)
Northern White-Skipper (Heliopetes ericetorum)
In the nursery trade, found in chain nurseries, you might find what is called “flowering maple” which is a series of Abutilon hybrid plants with flowers much like Turk’s cap (Malvaviscus drummondii). These “flowering maples” are usually hybrids of A. darwinii and A. striatum, or cultivars of other species, such as A. megapotamicum and A. pictum, all of which are species native to South America.
Abutilon abutiloides
Shrubby Desert Mallow
Herbaceous shrub to about 3x3’. Low to moderate water, good drainage, hardy to 20°F.
Found in open arid habitat below 4,000 ft. ranging across central and southern Arizona, east to Texas, south to central Mexico and into the West Indies.
The name Abutilon is from the Arabic word for a mallow-like plant from the old world, while abutiloides is like a double-whammy of a name, meaning like the genus Abutilon.
Abutilon incanum
Pelotazo
Upright growing shrubby perennial to about 4’ tall, 2’ wide, can sometimes reach 6’. Low to moderate water, good drainage, hardy to 20°F.
Found on open, arid well-drained slopes from 1,000-4,000 ft. widespread from Arizona to Texas and south into northern Mexico, but most common and abundant in Arizona and Sonora.
Abutilon is from the Arabic word for a mallow-like plant, while incanum means grayish or hoary.
Abutilon malacum
Yellow Desert Mallow
Herbaceous shrub, usually to about 2x2’. Low to moderate water, good drainage, hardy to 15°F.
Found in open and arid habitats, from 2,000-4,500’ in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and south into northern Mexico.
The name Abutilon is from the Arabic word for a mallow-like plant from the old world, while malacum likely means soft, referring to the leaves.
Abutilon mollicomum
Yellow Desert Mallow
Herbaceous upright growing shrub, which can reach 5’ tall, but usually only about 2’ wide. Low to moderate water, good drainage, hardy to 15°F.
Found in grasslands and along waterways; 3,000-4,500 ft, in southern Arizona, the southeastern tip of New Mexico, and south into northern Mexico.
The name Abutilon is from the Arabic word for a mallow-like plant from the old world, while the species “mollicomum” is derived from the Latin word meaning soft hairs, referring to the hairs on the stems which is a characteristic used to ID this plant.
Formerly known as Abutilon sonorae.
Abutilon palmeri
Superstition Mallow
Shrubby perennial with silver leaves, up to 6’ tall x 4’ wide, full to part sun, Low to moderate water, good drainage, hardy to 20°F. Plants reemerge from being frozen to the ground.
Well-drained rocky slopes, 1000-3000 ft. in California and Arizona, south into Baja California, Sonora, and Sinoloa.
Abutilon is from the Arabic word for a mallow-like plant, while palmeri is named for Edward Palmer (1829-1911), known for his botanical collections in the region.
Abutilon parishii
Parish’s Indian Mallow
Shrubby plant that can reach about 3’ tall. Much larger leaves. Rare in cultivation. Full to part sun, moderate water with good drainage, hardiness unknown, but probably at least root hardy into the teens °F.
The plant grows in rocky habitat, such as canyon slopes in southern Arizona, south into Sonora, usually at around 3,000 ft.
Abutilon is from the Arabic word for a mallow-like plant, while the species name honors either of two brothers, Samuel Bonsall Parish (1838–1928) and William Fletcher Parish (1840–1918), both active botanists in southern California.
Abutilon parvulum
Dwarf Indian Mallow
Shrubby plant that rarely reach more than 1’ tall, though sometimes they can pop upright instead of being pendulant. This is the smallest of the Abultilons and sometimes gets mistaken for a Sphaeralcea species (globemallow), especially when it’s not blooming. Part sun, moderate water with good drainage, hardiness unknown, but probably at least root hardy into the teens °F, maybe even colder.
Found on dry plains and arid slopes; 2,500-6000’ in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and adjacent northern Mexico.
Abutilon is from the Arabic word for a mallow-like plant, while parvulum means somewhat small.
Abutilon reventum
Dwarf Indian Mallow
One of the bigger (and rarer) Abutilon species, this plant can reach more than 6’ tall in protected locations. It has large leaves with tips that usually curve back. Part sun, moderate water with good drainage, hardiness unknown, but probably at least root hardy into the teens °F, maybe even colder.
Found in open habitats along waterways from 3,000-6,000’ in a few locations in Arizona, and south into central Mexico.
Abutilon is from the Arabic word for a mallow-like plant, while reventum means “coming backward,” and may refer to the curling behavior of the long acuminate leaf tips.
Abutilon wrightii
Wright’s Velvetleaf
Smaller plant, reaching usually 1-1.5’. Part sun, moderate water with good drainage, hardiness unknown, but probably at least root hardy to 20 °F, maybe even colder.
Found in dry open habitats at around 4000’ normally in New Mexico and Texas, south into northern Mexico. There is one disjunct population in Arizona near the San Pedro River.
Abutilon is from the Arabic word for a mallow-like plant, while reventum means “coming backward,” and may refer to the curling behavior of the long acuminate leaf tips.
Abutilon xanti
Giant Velvetleaf
Very tall, large-leafed perennial shrub that can reach 12’ tall! Pale yellow to white flowers with yellow centers. Little is known about this species.
Part sun probably best for this species. Moderate water with good drainage. Hardiness unknown. Plants may need to be cut back occasionally.
Native to Baja California and the west coast thornscrub of Mexico.