Scientific name: Abutilon virginianum

POWO Status: Shrub

IUCN Red List threat level: Endangered

Common names: Jost Van Dyke’s Indian Mallow

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 59.54″ N, 64° 49′ 49.68″ W

Observations:

Phenological Markers – Abutilon virginianum (Virginia Mallow)

Family: Malvaceae
Common Name: Virginia Mallow, Velvet-leaf
Habitat: Native to North America, found in fields, disturbed areas, and along roadsides, particularly in the eastern U.S. and parts of Canada.

Phenological Markers:

• Flowering Period: Flowering typically occurs in late spring to early summer (May to June), with large, yellow-orange, hibiscus-like flowers.
• Fruiting Period: The fruiting period follows flowering and typically occurs late summer to early fall (August to September). It produces capsule-like fruits containing several seeds.
• Leaf Fall: Deciduous, with leaves often shedding by the onset of cold weather in late fall.
• Budding Period: Budding typically begins early spring (April) before flowering, with new leaves emerging alongside early flower buds.

Key Features:

• Leaves: Large, heart-shaped, and deeply lobed with a velvety texture.
• Flowers: Yellow to orange, 5-petaled, with a hibiscus-like appearance, often about 5–7 cm in diameter.
• Fruits: A capsule containing several seeds, which can be dispersed by wind and water.

Additional Notes:

It thrives in well-drained soils and can tolerate a variety of conditions, including full sun to partial shade.

Abutilon virginianum is an annual herbaceous plant known for its ornamental value due to the striking appearance of its flowers. It can also serve as a beneficial plant for pollinators.