Abutilon palmeri
Palmer's abutilon
(c) Sue Carnahan, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Abutilon palmeri (Palmer's abutilon) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by shrub habit, bluish-gray leaves, orange flowers.
Palmer's abutilon is a California native shrub found in the southern desert regions and adjacent Peninsula Ranges, typically growing on dry, eastern-facing mountain slopes in creosote-bush scrub at elevations of 600 to 800 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces striking orange flowers 20 to 25 millimeters long with red stigmas, emerging from densely branched stems. Growing as a rounded, erect subshrub 1.5 to 2 meters tall, it is covered in distinctive stellate hairs that give it a unique texture. Its leaves are bluish-gray, densely velvety, measuring 4 to 8 centimeters long with subtle three-lobed shape and toothed edges. The plant's fruit consists of 10 bristly or soft-hairy segments, each approximately 10 millimeters long with small erect beaks.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by shrub habit, bluish-gray leaves, orange flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Dry, generally e-facing mountain slopes, creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: 600-800 m
California counties: Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles
Outside California: Arizona, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Abutilon palmeri blooms Mar-May.
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 palmeri native to California?
Yes. Abutilon palmeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Abutilon palmeri bloom?
Abutilon palmeri blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Abutilon palmeri grow?
Abutilon palmeri occurs in Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles, at elevations of 600-800 m.
What plant family does Abutilon palmeri belong to?
Abutilon palmeri is in the Malvaceae family, genus Abutilon.
What habitat does Abutilon palmeri grow in?
Abutilon palmeri grows in Uncommon. Dry, generally e-facing mountain slopes, creosote-bush scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.