Abutilon pycnodon
Abutilon pycnodon is a southern African plant in the mallow family, Malvaceae. Plants of the World Online records it as a perennial or shrub native to southwestern Angola and from Zimbabwe southwards to South Africa. It occurs primarily in seasonally dry tropical environments.[1]
Description
The Flora Zambesiaca account, published under the synonym Abutilon matopense, describes an erect, branching shrub about 0.75–2 metres tall. Grey, velvety hairs cover the stems and leaves. The toothed leaves have a heart-shaped base and may appear bluish green or greyish yellow-green.[1]
Its yellow or apricot-coloured petals measure about 14–20 mm. The fruit has a flattened upper surface and is surrounded by the enlarged calyx, the outer floral covering. It contains 18–24 one-seeded segments with rounded ends and short points.[1]
Habitat records
A South African National Biodiversity Institute account lists A. pycnodon among plants associated with Caesalpinia bracteata in the lower Orange River region. The vegetation there includes arid rocky country along the river. This is a documented regional occurrence, rather than a description of every habitat occupied by the species.[2]
Name
Hochreutiner published the name Abutilon pycnodon in 1894. Abutilon matopense is a synonym used in older literature.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. “Abutilon pycnodon”. Plants of the World Online, including Exell, A. W. (1961), Flora Zambesiaca, under the synonym Abutilon matopense. Accessed 8 October 2026.
- ↑ Van Jaarsveld, Ernst (2017). “Caesalpinia bracteata”. PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute. Associated vegetation in the lower Orange River region. Accessed 8 October 2026.