Allowissadula is a small genus of flowering plants in the mallow family Malvaceae, placed within the order Malvales. Comprising around ten accepted species, the genus is native to Mexico and the south-central United States, occurring primarily in Texas and New Mexico. Members of the genus are commonly called false Indianmallows, a name that reflects their resemblance to the closely related genus Abutilon (Indianmallows) while marking their distinct identity.
Plants in Allowissadula are subshrubs, typically bearing densely hairy foliage that gives the leaves a soft, felted texture. The flowers are characteristic of the mallow family, with a calyx ranging from six to fourteen millimetres in length. Each flower has five styles and five carpels, and the mature fruit is a schizocarp — a dry fruit that splits at maturity into separate one-seeded segments. This fruiting structure is a key diagnostic feature of the genus.
The most widely documented species is Allowissadula holosericea, known as the Chisos Mountain false Indianmallow, which occurs in the Chisos Mountains region of Texas. The genus was formally described and its species have been revised primarily through the work of botanist D.M. Bates.
Distribution
Allowissadula is native to Mexico and the south-central United States, with its US range restricted to Texas and New Mexico. The genus occupies arid and semi-arid habitats in these regions.
Taxonomy Notes
Allowissadula belongs to the family Malvaceae. It is closely related to Abutilon (Indianmallows) and was segregated from it on the basis of floral and fruit characters, including the five-carpellate schizocarp. The genus name and species assignments are associated with revisions by D.M. Bates. Around ten species are currently accepted.
