Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.)
Also known as velvet plant, velvetweed, Chinese jute, China jute, crown weed, Indian mallow, lantern mallow.
↑Summary
Velvetleaf is a plant native to south Asia with a wide distribution across North America. It is primarily a weed of cropland, especially corn. It can hugely reduce crop yields, is costly economically, and is widely considered an invasive weed.
↑Range - Expand
| Legend | Color |
| Introduced | |
| Introduced or Not Present |
This tentative map is based on our own research. It may have limited data on Canada and/or Mexico, and there is some subjectivity in our assignment of plants as introduced vs. expanded. Read more in this blog post.
We have completed this species' range map for Canada and the US, but not yet for Mexico.
↑Habitat
Rich, cultivated soils. Particularly common in cornfields, also occurs on roadsides and in gardens.
↑Uses
Cultivated in China for use as a fiber, resembling Jute, which is produced from plants of the Corchorus genus, in the same family.
↑Related Plants
There are numerous native Abutilon species in the southwestern U.S., but in most of this species' range it is the only member of its genus. It is also the only introduced member of its genus in North America.
The broader Malvaceae or mallow family, contains many plants, both native and introduced.
↑Links & External Resources
• Abutilon theophrasti (Velvetleaf) | Illinois Wildflowers (About This Site)
• Abutilon theophrasti (Velvetleaf) | USDA PLANTS Database (About This Site)
• Abutilon theophrasti | Go Botany (About This Site)
• Abutilon theophrasti (velvet leaf) | CABI Invasive Species Compendium (About This Site)
• Abutilon theophrasti | Biota of North America Project (BONAP) (About This Site)
• Abutilon theophrasti Medik. | Plants of the World Online (POWO) (About This Site)
• Abutilon theophrasti | NatureServe Explorer (About This Site)
• Abutilon theophrasti | Flora of North America (About This Site)
• Abutilon theophrasti | Missouri Plants (About This Site)
• Velvetleaf | Maryland Biodiversity Project (About This Site)
• Abutilon theophrasti (Velvet Leaf) | Minnesota Wildflowers (About This Site)
