Fabaceae / Papilionaceae

176
Malvaceae
Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet
(Syn: Sida indica Linn.)
English name: Country- mallow.
Local name: Sindhi- Jhangli-panir, Kapato, Pat-teer, Jangli teer, Urdu-
Pili-booti,
Punjabi-
Petari.
Description:
A 1.5 m tall perennial shrub having pubescent stem. Leaves broadly ovate with
cordate base, usually slightly trilobed towards apex. Flowers orange-yellow,
solitary-axillary. Fruit have more than 12 segments.
seeds.
Flowering Period:
May to December.
Habitat:
Commonly grows in open, waste lands, near cultivated
fields.
The plant propagates by
Uses:
The root is used to treat cough and fever, a paste of
seeds or leaves is applied to wounds and is also used
for boils. Roasted seeds are eaten, bark of the stem
yields fiber that is suitable for cordage, twine and rope.
Distribution:
In Pakistan it is common in Sindh & Punjab, rare in
N.W.F.P.Distributed in tropics and sub-tropics of new and
old worlds.