Biology:Abutilon grandifolium

From HandWiki
Short description: Species of flowering plant

Abutilon grandifolium
Starr 070215-4594 Abutilon grandifolium.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Abutilon
Species:
A. grandifolium
Binomial name
Abutilon grandifolium
(Willd.) Sweet[1]

Abutilon grandifolium, the hairy Indian mallow, is a large shrub that is up to 3 m (9.8 ft) high with broad, 3–18 cm (1.2–7.1 in) leaf blades. Flowers are axillary, with a yellow corolla 2–3.5 cm (0.8–1.4 in) across, composed of petals 1–1.5 cm (0.4–0.6 in) long. The fruits are ovoid-globular schizocarps that are 1–1.5 cm (0.4–0.6 in) in diameter and composed of ten shortly beaked mericarps, containing 2-3 seeds each.[1]

A. grandifolium can be distinguished from A. theophrasti by long, simple hairs on the stem rather than stellate hairs.

Distribution

The species is native to tropical America[1] and Central and South Africa,[2] but it is naturalised in other parts of the world, including the Canary Islands, Hawaii, and throughout shrubland and loamy areas of Australia . In Western Australia, it is found in the Swan Coastal Plain.[3] Due to this species’ prolific seed production and propensity to spread, A. grandifolium is considered an invasive species in some of the regions where it grows, becoming a problematic weed in riparian zones, grasslands, and tall shrubland ecosystems throughout the world. In Hawaii, it is reported as having a detrimental effect on Spermolepis hawaiiensis and Scaevola coriacea, two endangered and threatened plant species.[4]

Threat level

A. grandifolium is considered an invasive or potentially invasive weed in Micronesia, Hawaii, Portugal, South Africa , and in parts of Australia (particularly southeastern Queensland and eastern New South Wales),[5] and is not considered a threatened species.[3]

References

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q280892 entry