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

Indian mallow, 145Indian mustard, 133Indigenous, 139 In-dig�e-nous, native and original to the region.

From Seeds of Michigan Weeds Bulletin 260, Michigan State Agricultural College Experiment Station, Division of Botany, March, 1910 by Beal, W. J. (William James)

They have likewise necklaces of many strings of very small shells, or of the dried flowers of the Indian mallow.

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

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