Indian mallow

American  

noun

1. Also called velvetleaf.  an Asian plant, Abutilon theophrasti, of the mallow family, having velvety leaves and yellow flowers: it is cultivated in China for its jutelike fiber and has become naturalized as a weed in North America.

2. any of certain related species.

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Indian mallow British  

noun

1. a tall malvaceous weedy North American plant, Abutilon theophrasti, with small yellow flowers and large velvety leaves

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Example Sentences

In the early morning, the east-facing yard is alive with butterflies and bees, dancing over electric-purple whorls of celestial blue sage and sunny Palmer’s Indian mallow growing over the fence.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 26, 2025

We recommend Palmer’s Indian mallow, Abutilon palmeri, a somewhat rare plant that will appeal to your independent nature.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2022

There was also a species of sida or Indian mallow, a sort of purslain, and another small plant, that seemed, from its leaves, a mesembryanthemum, with two species of grass.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Volume 16 by Kerr, Robert

Urena, ū-rē′na, n. a genus of Malvace�—the Indian mallow.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

A genus of malvaceous plants of many species, found in the torrid and temperate zones of both continents; Ð called also Indian mallow.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah