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Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Abutilon hypoleucum

Abutilon hypoleucum A. Gray

Whiteleaf Indian Mallow, White-leaf Indian-mallow, Rio Grande Abutilon

Malvaceae (Mallow Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: Abhy

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This is a softly rounded, 5 ft. tall, deciduous shrub with lime-green, velvety leaves and yellow to orange, 1-2 in. blooms opening every afternoon.

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Schizocarp
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Flower: Flowers 1 to 2 inches

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Orange , Yellow
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: Rio Grand plains and valley in TX, south to Oaxaca in southern Mexico
Native Habitat: Flood plains, bottomland, Shaded woods, Palm groves, Canyons

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Moist, well-drained sand or loam, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Blooms ornamental, Long-blooming, Attractive
Use Wildlife: Nectar-insects.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Laviana skipper butterfly.

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Propagation is by seed or softwood cuttings.
Seed Collection: Seed stored in a cool, dry place may keep up to five years.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
National Butterfly Center - Mission, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender

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 Abutilon hypoleucum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Abutilon hypoleucum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Abutilon hypoleucum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-13
Research By: TWC Staff

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