velvet-leaf
(Abutilon theophrasti)
Conservation • Weed • Wetland • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Use • Distribution • Taxonomy
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Description |
Velvet-leaf is an exotic, annual forb that rises from a slender taproot. The stem is stout, erect, and 1′ to 4′ tall, occasionally taller. It is much branched above the middle, and it is covered with star-shaped hairs from the base (stellate). The hairs have just a few branches. The leaves are alternate, large, 4″ to 6″ long, and heart-shaped with a notch at the base. They are gradually taper to a sharp point with concave sides along the tip. They are covered on both sides with stellate hairs, making them velvety to the touch. The margins have minute, blunt teeth. They are borne on 1″ to 5″ long leaf stalks that are also covered with stellate hairs. The inflorescence consists of solitary flowers born on ¾″ to 1¼″ long stalks arising from the upper angle of the junction between the leaf and the stem (axils). The flower stalks are covered with stellate hairs. The flowers are ½″ to 1″ wide with 5 yellow to orangish-yellow petals. The fruit is ¾″ to 1¼″ wide and densely hairy. They have 10 to 15 awned segments, each containing a gray-grown, kidney-shaped seed. The seeds remain viable for up to 50 years. |
Height |
1′ to 4′, occasionally taller |
Flower Color |
Yellow to orangish-yellow |
Similar Species |
| No similar species |
Habitat |
Dry. Fields, disturbed sites. Full sun. |
Ecology |
Flowering |
July to October |
Pests and Diseases |
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Use |
Velvet-leaf is cultivated as a source of fiber and oil. |
Distribution |
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Sources |
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| 8/18/2024 | ||
Nativity |
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Native to northern Africa, western Asia, Pakistan, and eastern Europe. Introduced and naturalized in the United States. |
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Occurrence |
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Common |
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Taxonomy |
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Kingdom |
Plantae (green algae and land plants) |
Subkingdom |
Viridiplantae (green plants) |
Infrakingdom |
Streptophyta (land plants and green algae) |
Superdivision |
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Division |
Tracheophyta (vascular plants) |
Subdivision |
Spermatophytina (seed plants) / Angiospermae (flowering plants) |
Class |
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Superorder |
Rosanae |
Order |
Malvales (mallows, rock-roses, and allies) |
Family |
Malvaceae (mallow and hibiscus) |
Subfamily |
Malvoideae |
Tribe |
Malveae |
Genus |
Abutilon (Indian mallows) |
Subordinate Taxa |
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Synonyms |
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Abutilon abutilon Abutilon avicennae Abutilon avicennae f. nigrum Abutilon californicum Abutilon pubescens Abutilon theophrasti var. chinense Abutilon theophrasti var. nigrum Abutilon tiliifolium Malva abutilon Sida abutilon Sida tiliifolia |
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Common Names |
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abutilon-hemp butterprint butter-print butter-weed buttonweed China jute China-jute cotton-weed Indian hemp Indian mallow piemacker tientsin-jute velvet leaf velvetleaf velvetleaf Indian mallow velvetweed velvet-leaf velvet-weed |
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Glossary
Awn
A stiff, bristle-like appendage at the tip of the glume, lemma, or palea of grass florets.
Axil
The upper angle where the leaf stalk meets the stem.
Stellate
Star-shaped. Stellate hairs have several or many branches radiating from the base.
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Infructescence |
Infructescence |
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Infructescence |
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Fruit |
Fruit |
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Fruit |
Fruit |
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Fruit |
Fruit |
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Slideshows |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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Weed of the Week #794 - Velvetleaf (Air Date 6/23/13) |
About
Published on Jun 29, 2013 It's our Weed of the Week, Velvetleaf. |
Identification and Control of Velvetleaf |
About
Published on Oct 29, 2012 6 University of Guelph students got together for a project to assist you in identifying and controlling the weed velvetleaf, in whatever line of work you may be in. Thanks to Matt Underwood, Josh burrows, Natalie Renkema, Matt Smyth, Stuart Vermeulen, and Christine Littlejohn. |
The Urban-Abo Bushcraft: Cordage: (Velvet-Leaf) |
About
Uploaded on Jul 22, 2010 Velvet-leaf (Abutilon Theophrasti) has been grown in China since around 2000 BCE for its strong, jute-like fiber to make cordage, thread, nets, and woven bags. This is a very useful plant for making medium to medium-strong cordage. The fibers can be obtained along the tall long stalks. The skin, which contain the fibers, come off in long strips when the plant is green. The thin green top skin can be scraped off to reveal a network of light-yellow fibers. For more information, please visit: www.TheUrbanAbo.com |
Velvet leaf |
About
Uploaded on Oct 26, 2009 |
Velvet Leaf |
About
Uploaded on Apr 26, 2011 Velvet Leaf Media Arts |
Visitor Sightings |
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PF Strong |
Location: Inver Grove Heights In pot in our back yard |
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