Abutilon persicum var. persicum

Nimbalkar, Varsha Vilasrao & Sardesai, Milind Madhav, 2025, The Genus Abutilon (Malvaceae: Malvoideae) in India: A Taxonomic Revision and Insights from Micromorphology of Seeds, Systematic Botany (Basel, Switzerland) 49 (4), pp. 708-742 : 728

ABUTILON PERSICUM var. PERSICUM

Calyx 1.5–2 cm across, lobes triangular, 8–10 mm long, apex long acuminate, up to or exceeding the fruit apex. Ovary 5-celled, Schizocarp campanulate, locules 5, with 2–3 mm awn. Figures 14A–E , 15A–G .

Distribution and Habitat —South and East Asia. In India, it frequently occurs at higher altitudes ( 400–1500 m) in forest peripheries ( Fig. 13 ). This taxon usually prefers slopes and semi-shady places; it can also be seen as undergrowth in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.

Phenology —Flowers in November to February, and fruits mature from January to March. Anthesis takes place around 7 to 8 AM, and flowers wither after 6 PM.

Representative Specimens— India. — CHHATTISGARH: Bastar Dt., Way to Kutumbsar caves, 530m, 10 Feb 1961, N. P. Balakrishnan & A. N. Henry 12040 ( MH). — HARAYANA: Yamunasagar Dt., Kalesar National Park, 26 Nov 2014, A. K. Shukla & S. K. Shrivastava 123943 ( BSD). — MAHARASHTRA: Kolhapur Dt., Panhala, 11 Dec 2014, VVN 513 ( BAMU, SPPU); Pune Dt., Khandala, Forebay slopes, 20 Dec 1952, S. J. Santapau 15335 ( BLAT); Near Male, 19 Dec. 1954, V. D. Vartak 389 ( AHMA); Khireshwar, 30 Nov 2001, S. B. Nagarkar s.n. ( AHMA); Lonavla, 26 Jan 2015, VVN 525; 4 Feb 2017, VVN 592 ( BAMU, SPPU); Dahuli, 22 Feb 2018, VVN 609 ( BAMU, SPPU). Raigad Dt., Matheran, 23 Nov 1960, N. A. Irani, NI5658 ( BLAT). Ratnagiri Dt., Amboli, Savantwadi, 29 Dec 1977, SMA 1206 ( BLAT); Karli Khind, 28 Oct 1980, HDS K ( AHMA). Satara Dt., Mahabaleshwar, 29 Dec 1950, Bole 197 ( BLAT); Dhobi Water falls, Mahabaleshwar, 30 Jan 1956, V. D. Vartak 2992 ( AHMA) — KARNATAKA: Mysore Dt., 22 Apr 1800, Heyne s.n., K 000659655 ( K, image!) — KERALA: Malappuram Dt., Thenhipalam, 9 Dec 1961, A. N. Henry 1708; Neduntayam, 10 Dec 1988, 1000m, A. K. Pradeep 5091 ( CALI). Pathanamthitta Dt., Anathodu-Pamba forest, 29 Jan 1990, R. Chandrasekaran 90862 ( MH); Palghat dt., Manelampatty forest, 550m, 23 Feb 1979, E. Vajravelu 60623 ( MH); Nelliyampathy, Pothundi section, 12 Jan 1983 K. N. Subramanian 8878 (FRC); Pozhankundu, Ellivial section Chenat Nair Reserve Forest , 21 Dec 1987, N. Venkatasubramanian 13768 (FRC); Dhony forest, 20 Nov 1991, A. K. Pradeep 5269 ( CALI) Waynad Dt., Tirunelli R. F., 675m, 6 Mar 1979, V. S. Ramachandran 62085 ( MH); Kuthirakode R. F. Begur range, 23 Nov 1983, K. N. Subramanian 9787 (FRC). Thrissur Dt., Vettilappara forest, 7 Dec 1952, J. Fernades JF9 ( BLAT). — TAMIL NADU: Coimbatore Dt., Annamallays, 1871, Beddome s.n. ( MH); Kanyakumari Dt., Pechiparai, s.d., S. P. Subramanyam 00520 (FRLH); North Arcot Dt., Manalam R. F., Yelagiri hills, 1120m, 11 Jan 1986, M. B. Vishwanathan 920 ( MH). — UTTARAKHAND: Dehradun Dt., Sahastradhara, 23 Nov 1962, S. K. Malhotra 23940 ( BSD); Nainital Dt., Anandpur, Haldwani, 14 Dec 1989, U. Singh 978 ( BSD); Bhabar, Kumaon, Strachey & Winterbottom 3, K 000659543 ( K, photo!).

Figures

FIG. 14. Habit and morphology of A. persicum var. persicum (A–E) and A. ramosum (F–J). A, F. Habit and flower. B, G. Fruit. C, H. Dehiscing fruit. D, I. Locule. E, J. Seed.

FIG. 15. Line drawing illustration of A. persicum var. persicum (A–F, drawn from VVN 525) and A. ramosum (G–N, drawn from VVN 558). A, G. Leafy twig with flower and fruits. B, I. Staminal column. C, J. Gynoecium. D, K. Fruit. E, L. Locule. F, M. Seed. H. Flower.

FIG. 13. Distribution of A. pannosum, A. persicum var. narasimhanii, and A. persicum var. persicum in India.