Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) is an annual plant, commonly known for its hemp-like fiber. The plant grows up to 2 m tall, and its stems and leaves are covered with soft hairs, giving them a velvety feel to the touch. Velvetleaf leaves are large, heart-shaped, and have long stalks. Its flowers are yellow and small, blooming along the edge of the stalk or in clusters. Its fruit is a cup-like capsule containing many seeds. The plant is useful in making ropes, paper and textiles.
Scientific Name: Abutilon theophrasti
Some Basic Information about Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)
Habit: Annual, tall herb (up to 2 meters), found in fields
Root: Taproot, fibrous lateral roots
Stem: Erect, branched, stout, covered with soft hairs (“velvet” texture)
Leaf: Alternate, large, heart-shaped, velvety, long petiole, margin entire or serrate
Inflorescence: Solitary axillary or clustered yellow flowers
Flower: Bracteate, pedicellate, complete, actinomorphic, bisexual, hypogynous, yellow, ~1 inch, with 5 petals
Calyx: Sepals 5, gamosepalous (fused), hairy, valvate aestivation
Corolla: Petals 5, free, yellow, spreading
Androecium: Stamens numerous, monadelphous (fused filaments), surrounds style
Gynoecium: Ovary superior, 5–15 carpels, unilocular, axile placentation
Fruit: Capsule, schizocarpic, woody, with 12–15 segments, seeds kidney-shaped
Floral formula: Br ⊕ ⚥ K(5) C5 A∞ G(5–15)
Systematic Position:
Division – Angiospermae
Class – Dicotyledonae
Order – Malvales
Family – Malvaceae
Genus – Abutilon
Species – theophrasti
