Abutilon incanum
Malvaceae or Mallow family
Synonyms: Sida incana
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ʻIlima pua kea
Koʻoloa kea, Maʻo
Hoary abutilon, Indian mallow, Pelotazo, Pelotazo chico, Tronadora
Natural Range & Environment
Abutilon incanum is native to the Sonoran Desert (Arizona, Baja, and Sinaloa in Mexico), Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas (Edwards Plateau to West Texas), Arkansas [Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center], and Hawai‘i.
In Hawaiʻi, Abutilon incanum is indigenous [Flora of the Hawaiian Islands] and found mainly on the leeward side of all the main islands except Hawaiʻi Island. It inhabits dry habitats from sea level to about 220 m (722 ft) [Wagner et al. 1990].
The related and endangered Abutilon menziesii has been recorded from two areas on O‘ahu, Kapolei and Lualualei [ECOS]. A. incanum also grows in these two areas. In 2018, Morden et al., in an unpublished report for the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), found that A. menziesii and A. erimitopetalum (another endangered Abutilon species) may have hybridized naturally on Lāna‘i [USFWS 2023]. This study has prompted concerns that some of the remaining wild populations of endangered native Abutilon may be genetically threatened by nearby populations of native and non-native Abutilon species [ECOS].
ʻIlima pua kea has small hibiscus-like flowers; note fingers for size comparison. Its ripe fruit is a dry capsule, typically with five chambers, each holding a few seeds. A wild mature plant. (Fruit and mature plant photographs courtesy of Forest & Kim Starr CC BY 2.0.)
Description
Abutilon incanum is a small (1 to 3 ft [30 to 91 cm] tall) shrub with a lifespan of five or more years. Its leaves are typically heart-shaped and often fuzzy, ranging from silvery (because of the fuzz) to medium green, with a serrated margin. The five-petaled perfect (bisexual) flowers, like many other Abutilon species, are often hidden by the leaves. In Hawai‘i, only white-flowered forms with a red or wine-colored center are found, and blooming is sporadic or year-round. Outside Hawaiʻi, flowers can be white, yellow, orange-yellow to orange, and, within the continental USA, bloom from March to October [Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center]. Ripe fruits are dry, light-brown, five-chambered capsules, with each chamber containing a few small, brown, fuzzy seeds.
Growth Requirements
General
ʻIlima pua kea has great potential as an accent plant in a landscape similar to how ʻilima (Sida fallax) is used today. It can also be grown and kept in a container.
Abutilon incanum does best in dry sunny locations (but can also tolerate partial shade) and is tolerant of extreme heat, drought, strong winds, and salt spray, often seen growing wild near the ocean. It naturally grows in a variety of soil types, including coralline, lava/cinder, and clay. In cultivation, if over-watered or fertilized (even a little), the leaves can become large and sagging, overwhelming the already small flowers.
Abutilon incanum grows to maturity in less than a year, and while it can last more than five years, don't be surprised if your plant dies before then. In planning for this, we recommend collecting and storing (in the refrigerator) some of its seeds early on. The seeds are easy to sprout (use a hot water pre-sowing treatment) and seedlings grow quickly.
It is not unusual for ʻilima pua kea to have one or more of its branches die (for reasons unknown to us) over time. Therefore, remove these by hand to keep the plant looking tidy. Otherwise, pruning isn't normally needed to keep this shrub looking nice.
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies infrequently become a problem and often disappear without treatment. If they don't, refer to the Pests & Diseases page for methods to control/eliminate these pests.
Uses
Ancient Hawaiian
Early Hawaiians made a green (ʻōmaʻomaʻo) dye from the leaves of maʻo [Buck 2024]. However, since there are other plants that Hawaiians refer to as maʻo, in particular our native Hawaiian cotton (Gossypium tomentosum), we cannot be certain this usage can be correctly attributed to Abutilon incanum. Ka‘aiakamanu & Akina [1922] state that the dried flowers and root bark, mixed with other plants, were used to treat stomachaches; however, this usage may be post-1778. It's also possible, Hawaiians may have used ʻilima pua kea flowers in lei, since they can last a few days after being picked.
Modern
Today, Abutilon incanum is used in dry flower arrangements [Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center].
Special Features and Information
General
ʻIlima pua kea is a relative of the more familiar hibiscus, both belonging to the Mallow family (Malvaceae), which contains about 4,225 species within 243 genera. Family members include herbs, shrubs, and trees found worldwide, but most commonly in the tropics. Some of the more economically important species include: cotton (Gossypium spp.), cacao (Theobroma cacao), linden (Tilia spp.), durian (Durio spp.), Hibiscus, and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) [Britannica;Malvaceae].
There are some 200 Abutilon species worldwide, found primarily in the tropics and subtropics [WikipediA;Abutilon]. In Hawai‘i, there are four native Abutilon species: the indigenous Abutilon incanum, and three endemic endangered species, A. eremitopetalum, A. menziesii, and A. sandwicense.
Hawaiian Name
ʻIlima pua kea translates as "the ʻilima with white flowers," and koʻoloa kea as "the white koʻoloa" [Pukui & Elbert 1986]. Both names reference similar native family members, ʻilima (Sida fallax) and koʻoloa ʻula (Abutilon menziesii), respectively. Maʻo is also the name of Hawai‘i's native cotton (Gossypium tomentosum), but also means "green" [Pukui & Elbert 1986].
Etymology
Abutilon comes from the Arabic word abū-ṭīlūn (أبو طيلون), which means "Indian mallow." The name was first used in the 18th century as a Neo-Latin word [WikipediA;Abutilon]. The species name, incanum, is the neutral form of the Latin word incanus, meaning "hoary-white" or "grey," likely referring to the whitish fuzz that covers these plants [Gledhill 2008].
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