Abutilon pannosum

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It can grow in arid places. It grows in India on the Deccan in western Rajasthan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, Australia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Chad, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Middle East, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Pakistan, Qatar, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Socotra, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen

How it is used for food

The seeds are used in times of scarcity.

The seeds are eaten by Bedouins.

Edible parts

Seeds, seeds - oil

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chakrabenda, Kakrai, Kasili, Kharanti

Synonyms

Abutilon asiaticum Guill. et Pierre; Abutilon glaucum (Cav.) Sweet; Abutilon muticum (Delile ex DC.) Sweet; Abutilon muticum var. parvifolium Baker f.; Abutilon muticum var. villosum Webb; Abutilon tomentosum Wight & Arn.; Sida glauca Cav.; Sida mutica Delile; Sida pannosa G. Forst.; Sida polycarpa C. Sm.;