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Abutilon palmeri

Indian mallow or Desert abutilon or Sonoran flowering maple

The lime-colored velvety leaves, yellow-orange flowers, and attractive fruits make a charming choice for a large container in a patio butterfly garden.

A tall perennial that is mostly woody at the base, having the appearance of a medium-sized rounded shrub. Lime-colored leaves are heart-shaped and velvety. Flowers form a five-petaled cup about 1?” wide, with a central column supporting pollen-bearing anthers. Petals are rich yellow-orange. Seeds ripen in ornamental capsules that stay on the plant for some time.


QuickFacts Description Growth Forms: Shrub, Wildflower. Mature Height: 4-5-8 feet Mature Width: 4-5-8 feet Predominant Flower Color: Orange Flowering Seasons: Spring (mid February - April), Fore-Summer (May - June) Gardening Planting Zone: Mini Oasis Water Use: Moderate Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun Hardy to: 20° - 25° F Planting Season: Spring (mid February - April) Growth Rate: Fast Availability: Desert plant and botanical garden nurseries. In the Wild Habitat: Dry, rocky slopes. Elevation: 1000 to 3500 ft. Native Range: Southeastern California, Southern Arizona, Sonora, and Baja.

Landscape Use: Butterfly Garden, Children's Area, Container Plant, Patio Area.

The soft, fuzzy appearance gives this shrub a lush effect appropriate for a mini-oasis. Grow with other moderate water users in a small bed or around an arrangement of boulders near the patio. Abutilon may be grown in large containers as well. Container grown plants will benefit from light fertilizing once a month in the warm season.

Planting Tips: Plant from one-gallon containers in spring after frost danger has passed. Use ordinary potting soil for containers, or improve desert soil by turning and adding a shovelful of sand (for drainage) and some compost or forest mulch (to help the soil hold water.) A few rocks placed next to the plant will help hold water and encourage roots to grow beneath them. Water immediately after planting.

Gardening Tips: Although abutilon becomes quite drought-tolerant over time, it needs water about every 7 - 10 days in the spring and summer to look good and flower well. Plants in containers need to be watered every day or two during the hottest weather. Indian mallow may freeze back in winter, but it is fast-growing and recovers quickly. Morning sun, or at least part of the day is best. Too much shade will cause plants to become leggy. Prune lightly anytime, and remove frost-damaged branches in spring.

Problems: White flies find refuge in the hairy leaves. Foliage and stems die back in colder weather but recover.

Attracting Wildlife

Wildlife Attraction: Butterflies, Larval food plant.
Wildlife Use: Larval foodplant for Arizona Powdered Skipper.

Names

Family: Malvaceae (Mallow Family)
Scientific Name (Genus species): Abutilon palmeri
Pronounced Ah-BEW-ti-lon PALM-er-eye; named after plant explorer Ernest Jesse Palmer.
Common Names: Indian mallow, Desert abutilon, Sonoran flowering maple
Spanish Names: Pelotazo

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