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Abutilon theophrasti

velvetleaf

Overview

Abutilon theophrasti is a tall annual in the mallow family, reaching 3-8 feet (0.9-2.4 m) tall and 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) wide on a stout, unbranched to sparingly branched stem. The large heart-shaped leaves, up to 10 inches (25 cm) long, are covered on both sides with soft velvety hairs and give off a strong odor when crushed. Yellow to orange-yellow five-petaled flowers about 0.5-1 inch (13-25 mm) wide open singly or in small clusters from the upper leaf axils in summer. Each flower forms a characteristic cup-shaped seed capsule with 10 to 15 beaked segments arranged in a ring, drying to dark brown or black. Native to southern Asia, it was introduced to North America as a fiber crop and is now a widespread agricultural weed in row crops, especially corn and soybeans. A single plant can produce thousands of long-lived seeds that persist in soil for decades, and it competes strongly with crops for light and nutrients. It grows in fields, gardens, roadsides, and disturbed ground, favoring rich, moist soil. It dies with the first hard frost.

Native Range

Native to southern Asia, probably India and China. It was introduced to North America as a potential fiber crop and is now naturalized across much of the United States and southern Canada in fields, gardens, and disturbed ground.

Suggested Uses

It is not grown as an ornamental. The strong stem fibers have been used historically for cordage and rough textiles, and the plant is studied in agriculture as a model weed. Where it appears in gardens and fields it is generally removed.

How to Identify

Large, soft, velvety heart-shaped leaves up to 10 inches (25 cm) long have a strong odor when crushed. Yellow five-petaled flowers about 0.5-1 inch (13-25 mm) wide open at the upper leaf axils, and the cup-shaped seed capsules have 10 to 15 beaked segments in a ring. The tall stem and velvety leaves identify it in crop fields.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 8'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Summer Fall

Yellow to orange-yellow flowers open from July to September, singly or in small clusters at the upper leaf axils. Each flower lasts about a day. Ring-shaped seed capsules follow, drying dark brown and splitting to drop the seeds.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay silt

Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

As an annual weed, it grows readily in full sun on rich, moist, disturbed soil and germinates from spring into summer. It is not cultivated ornamentally and is managed as a weed in most settings. Seeds remain viable in soil for decades, so a single season of seed set leads to years of seedlings. Removal before flowering and seed set is the main control, along with cultivation of young seedlings. It competes strongly with crops and garden plants for light, water, and nutrients. It completes its life cycle in one season and dies with frost.

Pruning

Pruning is not relevant for this annual. Cutting or pulling plants before the seed capsules ripen prevents seed from entering the soil. Repeated removal over several seasons is needed because of the long-lived seed bank.