| Texas Indian mallow | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Flowers and fruits | |
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 | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
List
| |
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.
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]
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]
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]
The species is drought-tolerant and can be used in xeriscaping. [2]
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