Abutilon incanum
Pelotazo
(c) Brian Finzel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Abutilon incanum (Pelotazo) is a native California subshrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by white/yellow flowers with dark red centers.
Pelotazo is a California native shrub found in open, arid habitats at elevations from sea level to 1,000 meters. Flowering throughout the year, this plant produces white or yellow flowers with a dark red center, ranging from 3 to 6 millimeters long. Growing as a densely branched, rounded subshrub with erect stems, it reaches a compact form with distinctive texture. Its leaves are velvety soft, up to 6 centimeters long, weakly toothed and sometimes subtly three-lobed with an acuminate tip. The fruit develops in stellate-hairy segments with short, nearly upright beaks, typically containing three seeds per segment.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinguished by white/yellow flowers with dark red centers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, arid habitats
Elevation: 0-1000 m
Outside California: Arizona, northwest Mexico, Hawaii
Bloom period
Abutilon incanum blooms All year.
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 incanum native to California?
Yes. Abutilon incanum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Abutilon incanum bloom?
Abutilon incanum blooms All year.
What plant family does Abutilon incanum belong to?
Abutilon incanum is in the Malvaceae family, genus Abutilon.
What habitat does Abutilon incanum grow in?
Abutilon incanum grows in Open, arid habitats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
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.