Abutilon parvulum
Dwarf abutilon, Dwarf Abutilon, dwarf abutilon, dwarf abutilon
(c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Abutilon parvulum (Dwarf abutilon) is a native California subshrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by low perennial habit, small size, orange-pink flowers.
Dwarf abutilon is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the Providence Mountains in arid, rocky shadscale scrub at elevations of 900 to 1,300 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces orange-pink to reddish flowers 3 to 6 millimeters long in solitary axillary clusters. Growing with much-branched, decumbent stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall covered in stellate hairs, it has a woody root system. Its leaves are 1 to 5 centimeters long, three-lobed, dentate, and scattered with stellate hairs. The fruit consists of 5 to 6 segments, each with 3 seeds and short erect beaks.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by low perennial habit, small size, orange-pink flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Arid, rocky slopes, shadscale scrub
Elevation: 900-1300 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Outside California: to southern Colorado, western Texas, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Abutilon parvulum blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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 parvulum native to California?
Yes. Abutilon parvulum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Abutilon parvulum bloom?
Abutilon parvulum blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Abutilon parvulum grow?
Abutilon parvulum occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 900-1300 m.
What plant family does Abutilon parvulum belong to?
Abutilon parvulum is in the Malvaceae family, genus Abutilon.
Is Abutilon parvulum rare or endangered?
Abutilon parvulum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2S3.
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.