Plant
Velvetleaf
Abutilon theophrastiAlso known as Velvet Plant, Velvetweed, Chinese Jute, Butterprint
Velvetleaf gets its name from soft, heart-shaped leaves covered in dense hairs that feel like velvet to the touch. Small yellow flowers bloom in late summer, giving way to button-like seed pods that can remain viable in soil for decades. Originally cultivated in Asia for strong stem fibers, it has spread globally as a persistent agricultural weed.
AnnualHeart-Shaped LeavesAgricultural Weed
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—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
- Velvetleaf Seed Beetle
- Caterpillars
- Grazing Livestock
ThreatsHerbicide applications, crop cultivation, manual weeding
HabitatsAgricultural fields, roadsides, gardens, disturbed soil
Life spanAnnual (1 year)
Classification
- OrderMalvales
- FamilyMalvaceae
- GenusAbutilon
- SpeciesAbutilon theophrasti
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Leaf Texture: Touch the heart-shaped leaves to feel their dense coat of soft hairs.
- Seed Identification: Look for distinctive crown-like seed pods that turn dark brown when mature.
- Management: Remove young plants before they flower to prevent persistent seed buildup in soil.
Competitor (c) James (Jim) Duggan, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by James (Jim) Duggan · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Jsfouche / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Family Member (c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Tony Rebelo · cc-by-sa
Family Member (c) Marco Iboshi, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Marco Iboshi · cc-by
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