Abutilon

views updated Jun 27 2018

Abutilon (family Malvaceae) A genus of trees and shrubs, native to tropical and warm temperate climates, whose members have hairy leaves and branches, and bright, lantern-like flowers, mainly orange or red. The fruit is a schizocarp and the stigmas (see CARPEL) are usually apical. There are more than 100 species. The genus includes A. theophrasti (China jute).