Velvet Leaf

this beautiful plant is classified as a noxious weed. it orginates from china and india where it has been used as a fiber crop for cord, rope, binder twine, fish nets and coarse cloth. the seeds has been used as food also. it was cultivated by the colonists in the u.s. for fiber and cloth.

scientific name is abutilon theophrastii and the plant grows 2-7 feet tall and can be found in abandoned fields, vacant lots and waste areas. the entire plant is soft and covered with short fine hairs, and is attractive to bees and butterflies.