Plains Lanternflower
Abutilon indicum

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. This one is used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It suits warm tropical places. It requires well drained soil and does best in a sunny position. It can grow in arid places. It occurs in Asia and Australia. It grows on atolls. In China it grows below 600 m in S China. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Central Africa, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo DR, Cuba, Dominica, East Timor, Fiji, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, Niue, Northeastern India, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Seychelles, Sikkim, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen

How it is used for food

The roasted seeds are eaten in Nepal. They are also used for flour. The seeds are a source of an edible oil. The leaves and flowers are cooked and eaten. The flowers are also eaten raw. They are also fried.

It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, vegetable, flowers, seeds - oil, leaves - tea

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or cuttings. It can be pruned.

Its other names

Local names

Atibala, Bauk-gale, Bauk-khway, Bauk-khway-gale, Bellpaku, Bunga kisar, Coi-xay, Country mallow, Fansi, Helencha, Indian abutilon, Indian lanternflower, Kambang sore, Kanghi, Kanska, Krawp chak krawan, Maabbelhau, Mamanh, Mamaruk, Mó lòng cǎo, Nhihuong, Paniyarattutti, Petari, Pong pang, Potari, Thami-chyok, Tutti, Tuttura-benda, Velluram

Synonyms

Sida indica L.; Sida populifera Lamarck; Abutilon populifera (Lamarck) Sweet; Abutilon indicum G.Don.; Abutilon badium Hus. & Baq.; Abutilon asiaticum (Linn.) Sweet;