Abutilon

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Abutilon
Abutilon megapotamicum
Abutilon megapotamicum
Plant Info
Common name(s): Flowering Maple, Chinese Bellflower, Chinese Lanter
Growth habit: Evergreen Vine-Shrub
Lifespan: varies to species
Exposure: Sun, part-shade in hot summer areas
Water: regular to moderate
Features: Flowers, Fragrance, Naturalizes
Hardiness: Frost sensitive
Sunset Zones: 8, 9, 12-27
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Abutilon
Mill.

Abutilon is a large genus of about 150 species of broadleaf evergreens in the mallow family (Malvaceae),. The genus includes annuals, perennials, shrubs, and small trees ranging from 1-10 m tall. Leaves are alternate, unlobed or palmately lobed with 3-7 lobes. The flowers are conspicuous, have five petals, and come mostly in red, pink, orange, yellow or white.

Common names include Abutilon, Chinese Bell Flower, Chinese Lantern, Mallow, Indian Mallow, and Flowering Maple. The names with maple refer to the maple-like leaves of some species, though the genus is not related to true maples).

Species

Hybrids

Cultivation

Abutilons are popular garden plants in subtropical areas. The hardiest species, A. ochsenii and A. vitifolium from Chile, are hardy in warm temperate areas with moderate frost down to about -10°C.

Abutilon x hybridum is a popular group of hybrids that are semi-tropical, frost-tender shrubs typically growing 2-3 m tall. The lantern-like buds open to solitary, pendulous, bell- to cup-shaped flowers to 8 cm diameter with five overlapping petals and significant staminal columns typical of the mallow family. Flowers come in red, pink, yellow, white and pastel shades. Lobed, maple-like, light green leaves are often variegated with white and yellow.

Propagation

Pests and diseases

Abutilon species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Yellow-banded Skipper (which feeds exclusively on A. avicennae) and Chionodes mariona.

Uses

History

Taxonomy

Distribution and habitat

Abutilons can be found wild in the tropical and subtropical regions of all continents, though most are native to South America.

References

Gallery

Notes

  1. Britton & Millspaugh, p. 265
  2. Britton & Millspaugh, p. 265
  3. Britton & Millspaugh, p. 266
  4. Britton & Millspaugh, p. 265
  5. Britton & Millspaugh, p. 265–266

References

See also

External links