VELVET LEAF
Abutilon threophrasti
Plant Characteristics
Height:
3' - 7'
Stem:
Tiny hairs, often purplish near soil surface
Leaves:
Heart shaped with velvet hairs, often drooping
Flower:
Five petals, yellow to orange
Bloom Time:
August to OctoberVelvet leaf is a plant with a strong, unpleasant odor when crushed. It sucks out large quantities of water and nutrients from the soil reducing availability to native plants. This plant contains chemicals that inhibit the germination and growth of other plants, dense stands.
Hand Pull
Hand pull small populations or young plants.
Spot Spray
Spot spray during the day.
Mow
Mow prior to seedproduction.
Cultural Plant Alternatives:
Narrow Leaved Purple Coneflower
Also known as echinacea, this wonder plant has widely been used in herbal medicine. It commonly is used as an immune booster as an alternative to cold fighting medicines. The plant grows easily with little maintenance and have deep roots that make them well suited for rain gardens.
Spotted Joe Pye Weed
This plant provides numerous pink flowers from July to September. The stems and flowers can be collected, dried, and burned to make a natural mosquito repellent. The roots can be gathered and dried to make an herbal tea tonic.
