Scientific Family
Malvaceae
Synonyms
Abutilon mochisense, Abutilon pringlei var. sinaloensis, Sida incana
Other common names
Indian mallow
shrubby Indian mallow
Pringle's abutilon
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Abutilon pringlei
Height
6 feet
Riparian
No
Flowers have a central column of fused stamens and 5 petals, not marked with maroon basal spot. The flowers are followed by fuzzy green, drying to brown seed capsules. Leaves heart-shaped with slightly toothed margins.
Grayish-green perennial. Often dormant with whitish stems, remnant fruits, few scraggly greenish leaves. Densely hairy with star-like hairs on leaves and stems. Leaves heart-shaped, toothed; orangish-yellow to pink petals red veined; fruits 5 sectioned.
Habitat
Found on open, arid, well-drained slopes.
Plant Community
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1000
High elevation
4000
Flower Characteristics
5 broad petals; to 1-1/2 inches wide; followed by rounded segmented fruit. Flowers are axillary or sometimes in short elongated clusters near tips of branches.
Flower color
Orangish-yellow to pink
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Grayish-green, paler beneath; very fine matted star-like hairs, somewhat oval, with tapered point; scalloped or toothed; to 3 inches long.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Triangular
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruits exceed the sepals, about 1/4 inch in diameter, matted woolly hairs, 3-seeded, schizocarp (a fruit that splits apart at maturity).
Fruit type
Other
Fruit color
Green
Dark brown with sparse, slender, gray hairs.