About Abutilon fruticosum Guill. & Perr.
Abutilon fruticosum Guill. & Perr. is a perennial herb. It can grow up to 1.8 metres (6 ft) tall, but usually does not exceed 90 centimetres (35 in). Its leaves are alternately arranged, growing up to 10 cm (4 in) long. The leaf blades are thick, covered in hairs, and appear gray. Its yellow-orange flowers are up to approximately 2.5 cm (1 in) wide. In Texas, flowering takes place from June through October. This species is native to Africa, southern and southwestern Asia (ranging from Saudi Arabia to India), northern Mexico, and the south-central United States. It grows in chaparral, woodlands, prairies, cliffs, slopes, and limestone outcrops. Wild and domesticated ungulates feed on this plant. Its seeds provide food for birds such as bobwhite quail, and its flowers attract both birds and butterflies. It also acts as a host plant for the larvae of several butterfly species. It is drought-tolerant and can be used for xeriscaping.
