Velvetleaf, Abutilon theophrasti
Weed Control Options 
Life Cycle
AnnualPropagation
Reproducing only by seed.Stems
1-2 m tall and occasionally taller, much-branched in the upper part, finely soft-hairy.Leaves
Alternate (1 per node), broadly heart shaped, large, 7-10 cm wide with a sharp-pointed apex, shallowly round-toothed, soft-hairy and velvety to the touch.Flowers and Fruit
Flowers single or in small clusters from the leaf axils, each with 5 large sepals and 5 yellow to yellow-orange petals that are 1 - 2.5 cm wide when open. The filaments united to form a central column as in the mallows (as (e) in Figure 116C). The fruit from each flower is a circular cluster of 12 to 15 seedpods about 1 - 2.5 cm long (B) at first green but turning dark brown to black at maturity. Each individual pod (a) opening with a vertical slit down its back and containing several purplish-brown "V-shaped" seeds about 1mm thick and 2-3 mm long. Flowers from late July until Autumn.Roots and Underground Structures
A fibrous root system with a shallow taprootHabitat
Velvetleaf occurs most commonly in southern Ontario where it is found mainly in corn, soybean and other annually tilled crops.Competitiveness
Corn yield loss (%)*:4 % at 1 plant/m2
15 % at 5 plant/m2
Soybean yield loss (%)*:
6 % at 1 plant/m2
23 % at 5 plant/m2
*assumes that the weed has emerged with the crop and has been left uncontrolled all season.
Distinguishing Features
It is distinguished by its erect habit of growth, large alternate, valentine-shaped leaves which are soft velvety to the touch, its yellow to yellow-orange flowers, each with a central column of stamens, its ring of several seedpods (B) produced from each flower, and in late autumn by the rather grotesque appearance of its erect, branched, brownish to blackish stem with many erect clusters of seedpods.Toxicity
Velvetleaf is not known to be toxic.Human Health Issues
Velvetleaf is not a known allergen.Forage Quality
No information exists at this time.Power Ranking Corn
Power ranking↑ 4
Power Ranking Soybeans
Power ranking↑ 5
Biological Control
Currently None Available for this weed. For the latest research on biological weed control: Click here
Biopesticide Control
Currently None Available for this weed.Herbicide Resistance
No documented cases of herbicide resistance to date.For more information on weed resistance:
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Media Items
Figure 1: Velvetleaf: A. Upper part of flowering stem. B. Cluster of seedpods. Top
Figure 2: Velvetleaf cotyledons. Top
Figure 3: Velvetleaf leaf. Top
Figure 4: Velvetleaf plant prior to flowering. Top
Figure 5: Velvetleaf flower. Top
Figure 6: Cluster of seedpods. Top