Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) is a widespread and highly competitive plant that frequently appears in agricultural settings and gardens. This summer annual species is a persistent concern for anyone cultivating land, from large-scale farming operations to small home plots. This article provides the necessary information to identify and manage this unwelcome invader.
Defining Velvetleaf’s Status and Origin
Velvetleaf is classified as a highly problematic invasive species across much of North America. Its scientific name, Abutilon theophrasti, places it in the mallow family (Malvaceae), and it is often known by common names like buttonweed or Indian mallow. Velvetleaf is an annual plant that completes its life cycle within a single growing season and is extremely successful at reproduction. The plant originated in Central and East Asia, likely in China or India. It was introduced to North America, possibly as early as the 17th century, for its strong, jute-like bast fiber used in making rope and coarse cloth. Since its introduction, it has spread widely, becoming a noxious weed in agricultural regions, particularly throughout the Midwestern and Eastern United States.
Distinctive Physical Characteristics
The most recognizable characteristic of Velvetleaf is its foliage, which consists of large, heart-shaped leaves covered in a dense layer of soft, fine hairs, giving them a distinct velvety feel. These leaves often reach four to eight inches in length and width and grow alternately along the stem. The plant is a tall, erect summer annual, with mature specimens typically reaching between two and seven feet in height, easily towering over many crops. Its flowers are small, about half an inch to an inch wide, and are yellow to yellow-orange with five petals, appearing in the upper leaf axils. After flowering, the plant develops its most distinguishing structure: a circular, cup-shaped seed capsule composed of a ring of 12 to 15 flattened, pointy-tipped segments. This structure resembles a miniature wheel, is the source of the common name butterprint or buttonweed, and turns dark brown to black as it matures, often remaining on the dead stem throughout winter.
Agricultural and Competitive Impact
Velvetleaf is a serious weed due to its highly competitive nature and ability to drastically reduce crop yields. It is particularly damaging to long-season, spring-planted row crops like corn and soybeans, where it competes aggressively for water and nutrients. The plant’s rapid growth and substantial size can cause up to a 34% yield loss in corn and up to a 40% loss in soybeans.
Beyond competition, Velvetleaf also exhibits allelopathy—the release of biochemicals that inhibit the growth of surrounding plants. Compounds found in the seeds and decaying plant matter depress the germination and growth of several crop seedlings, including alfalfa and radish. A single plant can produce thousands of seeds (700 up to 17,000 under ideal conditions). These seeds have an exceptionally hard coat, enabling them to remain viable and dormant in the soil seed bank for 50 years or more, ensuring the weed’s long-term persistence.
Effective Management Strategies
Controlling Velvetleaf requires an integrated approach targeting both the current plant population and the long-lived seed bank. Mechanical control is effective on young plants; shallow tillage or rotary hoeing successfully destroys seedlings before they exceed a quarter-inch in height. Hand-pulling is practical for small infestations but must be done before the plant sets seed, as mature plants develop a deep taproot that makes removal difficult.
Cultural practices focus on suppressing the weed by increasing crop competition and disrupting its life cycle. Altering planting dates or utilizing cover crops can suppress germination and emergence. Planting row crops in narrow rows and using higher seeding rates helps shade out the weed. Crop rotation with small grains or forages is highly recommended, as it allows for the use of different herbicides and breaks the cycle favoring the weed’s growth.
For chemical control, a program combining pre-emergent and post-emergent applications with multiple modes of action is the most effective approach. Residual pre-emergent herbicides are applied before planting to prevent germination, which is important since seeds can emerge from up to two inches deep in the soil. Post-emergent treatments are most effective when the plants are small, ideally less than four inches tall. The velvety hairs and the tendency of the leaves to droop in the evening can reduce the effectiveness of post-emergent sprays, making timely application in the early morning crucial for maximum herbicide absorption.