Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles
Recommended citation
'Abutilon' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.
One of the most problematic genera in a taxonomically difficult family, Abutilon s.l. has gained a certain notoriety among plant systematists as a ‘dumping ground’ for species that did not obviously fit elsewhere in Malvaceae, so long as they lacked an epicalyx and had multiple ovules per carpel (Donnell, Ballard & Cantino 2012). Most of the hardy ‘abutilons’ treated by Bean have been moved to Corynabutilon, and the more tender taxa to Callianthe.
We have published this slightly edited genus article as part of a wider reorganisation of Malvaceae entries. This is part of a programme of work beginning in early 2025 to bring the nomenclature of articles in line with modern treatments. Historic Bean text will appear under its correct modern name, with appropriate synonymy, until we have funding to update the articles entirely. A full account of this genus will be provided when funds are available. If you would like to sponsor this work please write to editor@treesandshrubsonline.org
A genus of about 175 woody or herbaceous species, mostly tropical and sub-tropical in distribution. The cultivated species are soft-wooded plants with showy flowers borne singly in the leaf-axils, or in small panicles. As is common in the Mallow family the numerous stamens are united into a tube which surrounds the gynoecium; the ovary has several chambers and the style is divided into as many arms as there are chambers; the calyx may be tubular and only shortly five-lobed, or divided to the base into five segments; petals five. The fruit is dry and splits into segments (schizocarps), each of which opens to release a few seeds.