Pelotazo
Indian Mallow
Abutilon incanum
Sketched from live specimen observed in the Growler Mts., Pima Co., Arizona. 27 March 1993.
FLOWERS: Five pale yellow petals with numerous stamens fused into a
column around the style. Flowering late spring into autumn. Petal color varies
from yellow to shades of white or pink. The flower shown here was observed at
Cave Creek, Maricopa Co., Arizona. 13 November 2010.
FRUIT: A pleated shizocarp (brakes apart at maturity into distinct
sections). In the photo at left a fruit can be seen just to the right of the open flower.
SUB-SHRUB: A weakly woody shrub sometimes a meter tall.
LEAVES: Triangular to deltoid leaves are 1 to 4 cm long - occasionally smaller
or larger - and with serrated margins, a heart-shaped base and velvety
texture.
RANGE: A common plant at mid elevations in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona
and Sonora. Variable leaf and flower size. There are several similar looking Abutilon
spp. in the Southwest.
UNARMED.