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Abutilon fruticosum Guill. & Perr.

الرين

Syn. Abutilon albidum subsp. fruticosum (Guill. & Perr.)

Texas Indian Mallow, Sweet Indian Mallow
Malvaceae
  • Morphological Description
    • Description
      Perennial subshrub (up to 1 m), woody at base, with spreading to ascending stems covered in soft stellate hairs. Leaves alternate, ovate to cordate, grey-green, densely pubescent, velvety, margins shallowly toothed with serrated edges. Flowers solitary or in small clusters, borne on axillary pedicels; corolla with 5 yellow to orange petals, conspicuous and rounded. Staminal column prominent, bearing numerous stamens. Fruits schizocarpic capsules, composed of 10–20 carpels, each containing reniform, pubescent seeds.
  • Habitat and Distribution
    • Geographical Distribution Range
      This Sudanian species is distributed across the North of Africa and Middle East to India. Within the Arabian Peninsula, it is native to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the Gulf states, Oman and Yemen as well as Socotra. This species is also native to the United States and Mexico.
  • Ecology
    • Phenology
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      Flowering
      Fructification
    • IUCN Red List Category
      Not Evaluated  IUCN Icon
      Not Evaluated
    • Remarks
      Flowers open at the end of the afternoon and stay open until the early morning.
  • Uses and Values
    • Aromatic and Medicinal Use
      Medicinal use
    • Other Usages
      Palatable
    • Description of Traditional Uses
      This plant is used in traditional ethnomedical practices, similar to other members of the genus Abutilon, for its reported demulcent, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic properties. It is also recognized as a browse species palatable to livestock in various arid regions.