Kingdom Plantae Family Malvaceae Tribe Malveae Scientific name Abutilon incanum Rank Species | Order Malvales Subfamily Malvoideae Genus Abutilon Higher classification Indian mallow | |
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Similar Indian mallow, Mallows, Abutilon eremitopetalum, Abutilon parvulum, Abutilon menziesii | ||
Abutilon icanum, also known as hoary abutilon, pelotazo, pelotazo chico, tronadora, and maʻo (Hawaiʻi), is a shrub widespread throughout the arid, warm regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico as well as Hawaiʻi.
It grows to between 0.5–2 metres (1.6–6.6 ft) in height; the leaves are ovate to lance-ovate in shape, with crenate margins, and sizes ranging from 0.5–3 centimetres (0.20–1.18 in) in width and 1.5–6 centimetres (0.59–2.36 in) in length. The solitary 5-petaled flowers are generally orange; in ssp. incanum they are 6–10 millimetres (0.24–0.39 in) long and orange-yellow, while in ssp. pringlei they are just 4–6 millimetres (0.16–0.24 in) and a deep orange with maroon spots. The 5–8-millimetre (0.20–0.31 in) fruits are capsules with 4-6 cells.
It favors rocky slopes and gravelly flats, and occurs in arroyos, at elevations up to 1,370 metres (4,490 ft). Requiring warm-season rain and mild winters, it is found in the Sonoran Desert, but not the Mojave Desert. In Hawaiʻi, maʻo can be found growing in dry forests and low shrublands at elevations from sea level to 220 metres (720 ft).
