SafePlants

Abutilon hirtum: Florida Keys Indian Mallow

Abutilon hirtum, also known as Florida Keys Indian Mallow and Indian Mallow, is a perennial subshrub forb/herb belonging to the genus Abutilon.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant is known to be used as a poultice to ease the pain of kidney gravel.
• It is also used ethnomedically, thus there is a possibility of medicinal or therapeutic properties.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Abutilon hirtum (Lam.) Sweet
• Family: Malvaceae (mallow family)
• Synonyms: Abutilon graveolens, Sida hirta, Sida graveolens

Common Names

• Florida Keys Indian Mallow
• Indian Mallow
• Hairy Indian Mallow
• Florida Key Indian-mallow

Distribution and Habitat

• Abutilon hirtum is a pantropical species, found in tropical regions.
• It is fairly common along rockland hammock edges in the Florida Keys.
• It tolerates disturbed soils, even scraped soils, but needs some organic matter.

Morphological Characteristics

• It is a small shrub, typically growing to 2-5 ft tall.
• It can develop in an erect manner and, over time, becomes a tree.
• It has yellow/orange flowers with 5 petals.

Ecological Role

• Not native to the specified region.

Quirky Facts

• In Malaysia, Abutilon hirtum is used as a poultice to ease the pain of kidney gravel and often mixed with glutinous substances.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• It serves as a host plant for butterflies in Southeast Florida, specifically the Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon).
• There is a mention of Solenopsis mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis being found in cotton field crops in Pakistan and India.

Further Information

• Discover Life: Provides information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Abutilon hirtum.
• USF Herbarium Specimen: Contains specimen details.
• USDA: Provides data and resources related to Abutilon hirtum.