Abutilon guineense (Schum.) Baker fil. & Exell

Taxonomic Classification

Abutilon guineense (Schum.) Baker fil. & Exell is a species of flowering plant that belongs to the mallow family, Malvaceae.

Native and Introduced Range

It has a broad native distribution across Africa, and has been introduced to other regions outside of its native range.

Taxonomic Uncertainty

The species may actually contain multiple distinct species, including some that have not yet been formally described.

Distribution in China

In China, this plant can be found growing in the provinces of Hainan, Sichuan, and Yunnan.

Publication History

This taxon was first published and described by Heinrich Christian Friedrich Schumacher in 1829 under the name Sida guineensis.

Accepted Intraspecific Taxa

Two varieties of Abutilon guineense are currently accepted.

Autonymic Variety Morphology

The autonymic variety, Abutilon guineense var. guineense, has a bell-shaped calyx, petals around 18 mm (0.71 in) long, and a smooth staminal column.

var. forrestii Morphology

The second accepted variety is Abutilon guineense var. forrestii (S.Y.Hu) Y.Tang, which has a disk-shaped calyx, petals 6 mm (0.24 in) long, and a staminal column covered in stellate hairs.