Eastern Forest Threat Center - Velvetleaf

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Velvetleaf

Velvetleaf

Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org

Velvetleaf
Abutilon theophrasti

Velvetleaf, native to China, was presumably introduced into the U.S. from India as a fiber crop. It has escaped cultivation.

Keywords: Malvaceae, annual, shrub-like herb; Common names: Indian mallow, Chinajute, butterprint, pie-maker, abutilon hemp, buttonweed, Tientsin-jute

Distribution Map Distribution Source Image

Threat Description

Velvetleaf is an annual shrub-like herb in the mallow family. Taproots with fibrous root systems anchor the plant. Erect stems are covered with soft hairs, reach 7 ft. in height, and are mostly unbranched. Leaves are alternate, heart-shaped and gradually tapering to a point (acuminate), and approximately 2 to 6 in. long and wide. They are densely hairy on both surfaces, have toothed margins, and emit an unpleasant odor when crushed. Flowers are solitary, approximately ½ to 1 in. wide, and consist of 5 orange-yellow petals. Velvetleaf reproduces from seeds that are produced in a circular capsule fruit (1 in. in diameter). Each capsule contains a ring of 'prickles' around the upper edge and yields 2 to 3 seeds. Seeds exhibit dormancy which can enable them to survive over 50 years in the soil. Velvetleaf occurs along roadsides, ditches, hillside slopes, riverbanks, disturbed areas, and crop fields. This non-native species is not a top invader in many areas, but it is invasive on very disturbed ground.