Abutilon fruticosum

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.

Abutilon fruticosum
Conservation status
Apparently Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
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

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]

• 
  Shrub
• 
  Foliage

Distribution and habitat

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

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

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