Indian mallow
Abutilon hirtum

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.

There are about 100-160 Abutilon species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in rocky, stony or sandy soils. It is often over limestone material. It grows between 550-915 m above sea level. It can tolerate shade. It can grow in arid places. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Angola, Australia, Bahamas, Botswana, Burundi, Central Africa, Central America, Chad, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Guadeloupe, Haiti, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Marquesas, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Caledonia, Niger, Nigeria, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Rwanda, Sahel, SE Asia, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, South America, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad-Tobago, Uganda, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

Probably minor.

Edible parts

Seeds, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Abutilon graveolens (Roxb. ex Hornem.) Wight & Arn. var. hirtum (Lam.) Mast.; Sida graveolens Roxb.; Sida hirta Lamk.;