Abutilon Species, Hoary Abutilon, Indian Mallow, Pelotazo Chico

I have not grown this plant that is native to Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii and New Mexico. I find it listed as a native Texas plant as well...Read More; however, the USDA Plants Database does not list it as such. It can be found in dry, rocky open woodlands and prairies from the Edwards Plateau to West Texas.

Shrubby Indian Mallow grows to be up to 40 inches (1 m) tall (rarely taller). The 5-petalled, up to 3/4 inch (1.9 cm) wide flowers (petals may be pink, white, or yellow) each have a dark red basal spot with reddish veins extending from it. The heart-shaped, grayish appearing, velvety leaves are petioled, and somewhat elongated. The velvety foliage (covered in fine stellate hairs) provides interesting texture in a xeric garden. They have sharp or rounded toothed margins. The brown seed capsules have 5 mericarps which helps distinguish it from other species. Each mericarp has 3 seeds which are about 1.8 to 2 mm long To encourage bushy new spring growth, cut it back in the spring. Indian mallow is a larval host plant and a nectar source for several butterfly species including the Texas Powdered Skipper and Common Streaky-Skipper.

There are 2 subspecies:
Abutilon incanum ssp. incanum ( pelotazo)
Abutilon incanum ssp. pringlei (Pringle abutilon, Pringle's abutilon)