Images
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Morphology
- Stem
- Erect, sparingly branched above, stout, velvety.
- Leaves
- Alternate, simple, long-stalked, nearly circular to ovate, 1.5-7 inches long, 2-8 inches wide, covered with velvety, star-shaped hairs; bases heart-shaped; margins shallow to sharply toothed, tips tapering to points; leaves often drooping in hot weather.
- Inflorescence
- Solitary flowers, mostly in upper leaf axils.
- Flower
- To 1 inch wide, on stalks 1/2 to 2 inches long; calyces 5-parted, lobes ovate, velvety; petals 5, yellowish orange; stamens numerous, filaments united.
- Fruit
- Schizocarp, capsule-like, fluted, 10-15-segmented; seeds 2 or more per segment, heart-shaped, flat, black.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Waste areas, roadsides, pastures, cultivated fields, and gardens.
- Distribution
- Principally east half of Kansas.
Practical Information
- Uses
- In China, fiber from this plant was used to make cords, thread, and nets. Quail eat the seeds.
Additional Notes
Comments
Velvetleaf is a common weed whose seeds can remain viable in the soil for more than 50 years.
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Wildflower
- Family
- Malvaceae - Mallow Family
- Life Span
- Annual
- Height
- 1-6 feet
- Origin
- Native
- Last Updated
- 2007-07-26
Color Groups
Yellow Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: July, August, September, October