Hoary abutilon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hoary abutilon |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Abutilon
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| Species: |
incanum
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Abutilon incanum, often called hoary abutilon, is a type of shrub. It is also known by other names like pelotazo, pelotazo chico, tronadora, and maʻo in Hawaiʻi. This plant grows widely in warm, dry areas. You can find it in the southwestern United States, northern Mexico, and Hawaiʻi.
Contents
What Hoary Abutilon Looks Like
Hoary abutilon is a small to medium-sized shrub. It usually grows between 0.5 and 2 meters (about 1.5 to 6.5 feet) tall.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this plant are shaped like an egg or a spear. They have wavy edges. Each leaf can be about 0.5 to 3 centimeters (0.2 to 1.2 inches) wide. They are also about 1.5 to 6 centimeters (0.6 to 2.4 inches) long.
The flowers are usually orange and have five petals. They grow one by one.
- One type, called ssp. incanum, has orange-yellow flowers. These flowers are about 6 to 10 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) long.
- Another type, ssp. pringlei, has deep orange flowers with maroon spots. These flowers are a bit smaller, about 4 to 6 millimeters (0.16 to 0.24 inches) long.
Fruits
After the flowers, the plant produces small fruits. These fruits are like capsules. They are about 5 to 8 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long. Each capsule has 4 to 6 small sections inside.
Where Hoary Abutilon Grows
This plant likes places with rocks and gravel. You can often find it on rocky slopes or flat areas with small stones. It also grows in arroyos, which are dry streambeds. It can grow at elevations up to 1,370 meters (about 4,500 feet).
Climate Needs
Hoary abutilon needs warm-season rain to grow well. It also prefers mild winters. This is why it is found in the Sonoran Desert. However, you won't find it in the Mojave Desert, which has a different climate.
Hawaiian Habitat
In Hawaiʻi, the maʻo plant grows in specific areas. It can be found in dry forests and low shrublands. These areas are usually from sea level up to 220 meters (about 720 feet) in elevation.
See also
In Spanish: Abutilon incanum para niños
