Xeriscape Landscaping Plants For The Arizona Desert Environment
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Shrubs

Superstition Mallow, Abutilon palmeri

Superstition Mallow, Abutilon palmeri

Indian Mallow, Abutilon palmeri	Superstition Mallow, Abutilon palmeri
Superstition Mallow, Abutilon palmeri	Superstition Mallow, Abutilon palmeri
Indian Mallow, Abutilon palmeri	Superstition Mallow, Abutilon palmeri

Superstition Mallow Abutilon palmeri, Mallow Family ( Malvaceae ) Superstition Mallow: Also Called; Indian Mallow, Palmer's Indian Mallow. A medium herbaceous shrub growing up to 3 or 6 feet tall. It has a 3 to 5 feet spread. It is easly identified by it's velvety heart - shaped leaves. It's soft fuzzy leaves are light grey - green. These are leaves that you will enjoy touching. Superstition Mallow is best used as a background/filler plant in a flower bed and it can be pruned to just about any shape and height you wish. It also works well if you plant it next to a patio where you can enjoy its soft texture. Desert mallow blooms throughout the warm summer months with small, cup-shaped, apricot-colored blossoms. It will experience some foliage and stem damage when temperatures drop into the low 20's F. It can be cut back hard in early spring to remove damaged foliage. It needs very little water once established. It will grow faster with more water provided to it. Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade, Tolerates reflected heat. Height: Up To 3 - 6 Feet Tall. With a 3 - 5 feet Spread. Flowers: Bright orange, but also occurs with yellow to light orange flowers. Flowers have 5 petals up to about 1 1/2" in width. They appear in clusters at the upper part of the stems. Blooming Time: Year - Round, Especially April - May. They reflower from August to frost, in response to the summer rains. Leaves: Green to gray - green, 3-lobed, scalloped-edged leaves. 0.5-2.5" long, ovate, 3 shallow lobes, scalloped edges. The leaves are alternate and palmately veined. Seeds: The globe - shaped seedpod, surrounded by the persistent calyx, separates at maturity into 7 to 22 kidneyshaped sections. Each section produces 1 to 3 kidney - shaped seeds about 1/16 inch long, very dark brown. Found: Native to dry, east facing slopes in Southwestern USA (California, Arizona), Mexico (Baja California, Sonora). Elevation: Below 2,500 Feet. Habitat: Statewide - Hillsides, Roadsides, Flats, Sandy Plains. In towns they are largely confined to roadsides, borders of cultivated lands, fields, sidewalks, vacant lots, and drainage areas. Miscellaneous: Photos Taken February 22, 2006. Glendale.