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 western North America (Baja and Sinaloa in Mexico; Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas in the continental USA) and disjunctly in Hawai‘i [Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center; Flora of North America].
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 In 2018, Morden et al., in an unpublished report for the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), found that A. menziesii and A. erimitopetalum (another endangered Abutilon species) may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 (photograph courtesy of Damien Wallace CC BY 4.0). Its ripe fruit is a dry capsule, typically with five chambers, each holding a few seeds (photograph courtesy of Forest & Kim Starr CC BY 2.0). ʻIlima pua kea often shares rocky coastlines with other native Malvaceae such as ‘uhaloa (Waltheria indica seedling in lower right-hand corner) (photograph courtesy of Forest & Kim Starr CC BY 3.0). However, it is also possible to find ʻilima pua kea growing farther inland (photograph courtesy of Forest & Kim Starr CC BY 3.0 US).
Description
Abutilon incanum is a small (1 to 3 ft [30 to 91 cm] tall) shrub with a lifespan (sometimes) of five or more years. Its leaves are typically heart-shaped (or sometimes more pointed) and usually fuzzy, ranging from silvery (because of dense hairs) to medium green to bluish green, and have a serrated margin. The five-petaled, solitary, perfect (bisexual) flowers look like small hibiscus flowers and, like many other Abutilon species, are often hidden by the plant's 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 and fuzzy seeds [Seeds of Hawaii].
Growth Requirements
General
ʻIlima pua kea, with its fuzzy blue-green leaves and small white and red flowers, 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 sunny locations (but can also endure some shading) and is tolerant of extreme heat, drought, strong winds, and salt spray. Wild plants are often seen growing near the ocean. It will grow in just about any type of soil, including coralline, lava/cinder, organic-dominant, and clay; however, I (Koebele) have never tried to grow it in pure sand. In cultivation, it requires little to no watering once established. If overwatered or fertilized (even a little), its leaves can become abnormally large and droopy, completely hiding its already small flowers. Extremely overwatered plants, combined with poor draining soil, can kill your ʻilima pua kea.
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. In some locations, you will discover replacement seedlings surrounding your ʻilima pua kea even before it dies.
It is not unusual for ʻilima pua kea to have one or more of its branches die (for reasons unknown to us). Therefore, remove these by hand to keep the plant looking tidy. Otherwise, pruning isn't normally needed to keep this shrub looking attractive.
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 reprint of 1957 book]. However, since there are other plants that Hawaiians call maʻo, in particular our native Hawaiian cotton (Gossypium tomentosum), we cannot be certain this usage can be correctly attributed to Abutilon incanum.
To date (2026), we have been unable to find any record of Hawaiians using ʻilima pua kea flowers in lei. However, since the flowers can last a few days after being picked, and knowing Hawaiians' fondness for using many types of flowers, fruits, seeds, and leaves in lei, such a use seems likely.
Ka‘aiakamanu & Akina [1922], calling this plant maʻo but using the scientific name Abutilon incanum, state that its dried flowers and root bark, along with several other plant parts, were used to treat gripping stomachaches after a rather complicated preparation. However, with so many other plant ingredients, it's difficult to attribute any "cure" to A. incanum alone. Additionally, Ka‘aiakamanu & Akina describe the plant as having leaves that "are quite large" and flowers "somewhat yellowish," which suggests they were talking about Gossypium tomentosum, not Abutilon incanum.
Modern
Today, Abutilon incanum is sometimes 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].
Malvaceae is one of the more common plant families in Hawai‘i, with native members in the genera Abutilon, Gossypium, Hibiscadelphus, Hibiscus, Kokia, Sabdariffa, Sida, Talipariti, Thespesia, and Waltheria [Flora of the Hawaiian Islands].
There are about 180 Abutilon species worldwide, found primarily in the tropics and subtropics [WikipediA; Abutilon]. In Hawai‘i, there are four native Abutilon species:
Abutilon eremitopetalum is an endangered shrub endemic to Lāna‘i, where it is seen in shrublands and dry forests.
Abutilon incanum is a small shrub indigenous to all the main Hawaiian Islands except Hawaiʻi Island, where it is found in dry habitats.
Abutilon menziesii is an endangered shrub endemic to O‘ahu, Lāna‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i Island, where it is found in dry forests and open shrub and grasslands.
Abutilon sandwicense is an endangered shrub endemic to the Wai‘anae Mountain Range of O‘ahu, where it is seen primarily in mesic forests.
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, a name given by Avicenna (c. 980 – 22 June 1037), a philosopher and physician, to this or a similar genus. 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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