Abutilon abutiloides
Shrubby abutilon
(c) Eric Knight, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Abutilon abutiloides (Shrubby abutilon) is a native California subshrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by no range data but CNPS 2B.1 suggests limited distribution.
Shrubby abutilon is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native shrub found in open, arid habitats at elevations up to 1,000 meters. Flowering throughout the year, this plant produces yellow flowers approximately 10 to 12 millimeters long with yellow stigmas. Growing as a densely branched, rounded subshrub to 1.5 meters tall with erect stems covered in roughly stellate hairs. Its heart-shaped leaves are 2 to 10 centimeters long, velvety to the touch, and unlobed with a pointed tip. The fruit develops in segments 10 to 16 millimeters long, covered in stellate hairs with simple margins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no range data but CNPS 2B.1 suggests limited distribution
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, arid habitats
Elevation: <= 1000 m
Outside California: Arizona, Texas, northwest Mexico, the Caribbean
Bloom period
Abutilon abutiloides blooms All year.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Callianthe: Abutilon completely lacks bracts; Callianthe has 3 conspicuous bracts beneath each flower.; vs Sphaeralcea: Abutilon has zero bracts ever; Sphaeralcea has 1-3 small bracts that may fall off but leave scars.; vs Allowissadula: Abutilon has no bracts and 3-9 seeds per segment; Allowissadula has 3 bracts and typically 1 seed per segment.; vs Hibiscus: Abutilon lacks bracts entirely; Hibiscus has 5-12 prominent persistent bracts and much larger flowers.; vs Paulownia: Abutilon has typical mallow flowers; Paulownia is a tree with large tubular foxglove-like flowers in upright clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Abutilon abutiloides native to California?
Yes. Abutilon abutiloides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Abutilon abutiloides bloom?
Abutilon abutiloides blooms All year.
What plant family does Abutilon abutiloides belong to?
Abutilon abutiloides is in the Malvaceae family, genus Abutilon.
Is Abutilon abutiloides rare or endangered?
Abutilon abutiloides carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Abutilon abutiloides grow in?
Abutilon abutiloides grows in Open, arid habitats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.