Abutilon is a large genus of about 150 species of broadleaf evergreens in the mallow family (Malvaceae). The genus includes annuals, perennials, shrubs, and small trees from 1-10 m tall, and is found in the tropical and subtropical regions of all continents. The leaves are alternate, unlobed or palmately lobed with 3-7 lobes. The flowers are conspicuous, with five petals, mostly red, pink, orange, yellow or white.

Common names include Abutilon, Mallow, Indian Mallow, and occasionally the very confusing "Flowering Maple" (it is not related to maples).

Abutilon species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Yellow-banded Skipper (which feeds exclusively on A. avicennae) and Chionodes mariona.

Selected species

• Abutilon auritum (Asian Indian Mallow).
• Abutilon bedfordianum (Bedford's Mallow). Brazil.
• Abutilon berlandieri (Berlandier's Indian Mallow).
• Abutilon darwinii (Darwin's Mallow). Brazil.
• Abutilon eremitopetalum (Hiddenpetal Indian Mallow).
• Abutilon fruticosum (Texas Indian Mallow).
• Abutilon grandifolium (Hairy Indian Mallow).
• Abutilon hirtum (Hairy Indian Mallow). Old World tropics; naturalised in New World tropics.
• Abutilon hulseanum.
• Abutilon hyoleucum (Whiteleaf Indian Mallow).
• Abutilon incanum (Hoary Abutilon, Pelotazo).
• Abuliton indicum (Indian Mallow). Old World tropics.
• Abuliton insigne. Colombia, Venezuela.
• Abutilon leonardi (Woolly Abutilon).
• Abutilon malacum (Yellow Indian Mallow).
• Abutilon megapotamicum (Trailing Abutilon). Brazil.
• Abutilon menziesii (Ko'oloa'ula). Hawaii.
• Abutilon mollicomum (Sonoran Indian Mallow).
• Abutilon mollissimum. South America.
• Abutilon ochsenii. Chile.
• Abutilon palmeri (Palmer's Indian Mallow).
• Abutilon parishii (Parish's Indian Mallow).
• Abutilon parvulum (Dwarf Indian Mallow).
• Abutilon permolle (Coastal Indian Mallow).
• Abutilon pictum (Redvein Abutilon, Red Vein Indian Mallow; syn. A. striatum). Brazil.
• Abutilon purpurascens. Brazil.
• Abutilon reventum (Yellowflower Indian Mallow).
• Abutilon sandwicense (Greenflower Indian Mallow).
• Abutilon theophrasti (Velvetleaf Abutilon, Indian Mallow, Butterweed). Tropical Asia.
• Abutilon thurberi (Thurber's Indian Mallow).
• Abutilon trisulcatum (Anglestem Indian Mallow).
• Abutilon venosum. Brazil.
• Abutilon virginianum (Virgin Islands Abutilon). Virgin Islands.
• Abutilon vitifolium. Chile.
• Abutilon wrightii (Wright's Indian Mallow).

Hybrids

• Abutilon x hybridum ("Chinese Lantern"; unknown parentage).
• Abutilon x milleri (A. megapotamicum x A. pictum).
• Abutilon x suntense (A. ochsenii x A. vitifolium).

Cultivation and uses

Abutilons are popular garden plants in subtropical areas; the hardiest species, A. ochsenii and A. vitifolium from Chile, are hardy in warm temperate areas with moderate frost down to about -10°C.

Abutilon x hybridum is a popular group of hybrids that are semi-tropical, frost-tender shrubs typically growing 2-3 m tall. The lantern-like buds open to solitary, pendulous, bell- to cup-shaped flowers to 8 cm diameter with five overlapping petals and significant staminal columns typical of the mallow family. Flowers come in red, pink, yellow, white and pastel shades. Lobed, maple-like, light green leaves are often variegated with white and yellow.

Sow seed indoors in late winter and set out seedling plants after last frost date.

Beds, borders, pots, window boxes or containers.

Image:Abutilonincanum1.jpg|Abutilon incanum (Hoary Abutilon) Image:Abutilon megapotamicum2.jpg|Flower of the Abutilon megapotamicum Image:Abutilonmenziesii1.jpg|Abutilon menziesii (Kooloaula) Image:Abutilonmenziesii2web.jpg|Abutilon menziesii flowers Image:Abutilonpictum1web.jpg|Abutilon pictum

External links

---

Malvaceae | Pantropical Flora

Abutilon | Abutilon | Galenis | abutilon