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Allowissadula holosericea
Allowissadula holosericea (Scheele) D.M. Bates
Velvet-leaf Mallow, Chisos Mountain False Indianmallow
Malvaceae (Mallow Family)
Synonym(s): Abutilon marshii, Wissadula holosericea
USDA Symbol: ALHO4
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
An attractive and eye-catching, but coarse-textured, shrub that reaches about 6 feet in height. Its large, chartreuse, heart-shaped leaves are velvety to the touch. Velvet-leaf Mallow has a long flowering season which lasts as long as the weather is warm. Its orange-yellow five-petaled flowers are lovely and attractive to pollinators. The native habitat of this species is on dry, rocky soil in open woodlands on the Edwards Plateau and the Trans-Pecos in Texas and in southern New Mexico and northern Mexico.
Velvet-leaf Mallow is a good choice for a background plant in a xeric garden bed.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Semi-evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Cordate
Leaf Pubescence: Stellate
Leaf Margin: Crenate , Dentate , Lobed
Leaf Base: Cordate
Leaf Texture: Leathery
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Inflorescence: Axillary , Corymb , Panicle , Terminal
Fruit Type: Schizocarp
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Orange , YellowBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: NM , TXNative Habitat: In dry, rocky soils of the Edwards Plateau and in the Trans-Pecos. Well-drained sand, loam, clay, limestone soils.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Conditions Comments: Velvet-leaf mallow is striking for its large, heart-shaped leaves and their luxurious texture and for delicate orange flowers. Over the course of the growing season, the plant may become bare underneath. The plant looks attractive with white mistflower, lantana, or big muhly planted in front of it.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesInteresting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Common Checkered Skipper, Texas Powdered Skipper, Common Streaky-Skipper
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: High
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Texas Powdered Skipper (Systasea pulverulenta) ![]() Larval Host |
Common Streaky-Skipper (Celotes nessus) ![]() Larval Host |
Propagation
Propagation Material: SeedsSeed Collection: Collect seed in fall. Seeds prone to weevils.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX
Herbarium Specimen(s)
NPSOT 0034 Collected Sept. 22, 1990 in Bexar County by Judith C. BerryNPSOT 0271 Collected July 10, 1992 in Comal County by Mary Beth White
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-64 Collected 2006-08-23 in Travis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Allowissadula holosericea in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Allowissadula holosericea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Allowissadula holosericea
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-13Research By: TWC Staff, LAL, MWJ