Abutilon palmeri

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Abutilon palmeri
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Malvales Family: Malvaceae Genus: Abutilon Species: A. palmeri
Binomial name
Abutilon palmeri Gray

Abutilon palmeri (common names: Palmer's Abutilon, Superstition Mallow, and Palmer's Indian Mallow)^[1] is a is a species of Abutilon which is native to San Diego County in Southern California. It is a dense, round shrub growing 3 to 8 feet tall (90-180 + cm), by 3 to 5 feet in diameter (90 cm-1.5 m)^[2]; the foliage is characterised by velvety heart-shaped (nearly round to cordate) leaves forming as alternates at meristems. The leaves are serrate, remarkable for dense woolly texture; pubescent; maintains velvety texture and bluish color of green above and below. The flowers are yellow (5 petals; yellow to orange) and cup-shaped; approximately one inch in size. Plant blooms for most of summer. Abutilon palmeri produces a small fruit (1/2 inch approximate diameter); the fruit is round, capsular and multi-parted and covered with silky pubescence similar to foliage. Branch and stem parts are also pubescent with red-brown coloring to twigs; bark ranging green to brown. ^[3]

It is a popular ornamental plant in native plant gardens in Southern California.

[edit] Scientific classification

Mallow family of dicotyledon angiosperms.

• Genus: Abutilon P. Mill. -- abutilon, Indian mallow
• Species: Abutilon palmeri (Gray) -- Palmer Indian mallow, Palmer's Indian mallow^[4]

[edit] References

1. ^ Palmer's Indian Mallow, Superstition Mallow (Abutilon palmeri)
2. ^ Palmer's Indian Mallow, Superstition Mallow (Abutilon palmeri)
3. ^ Abutilon palmeri Fact Sheet
4. ^ ITIS Standard Report Page: Abutilon palmeri