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Abutilon theophrasti

Species category

Weed

Common name

velvetleaf

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

Reniform (kidney shaped)

Size

  • Length: 3.75 mm
  • Width: 3 mm
  • Thickness: 1 mm

Color

Brown

Texture

Finely reticulate, tuberculateTuberculate:
Having small pimple-like protuberances.
 to strigose, pubescentPubescent:
Having hairs.
 near hilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
.

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
 is black and striate.

Identification notes

Abutilon theophrasti and Hibiscus trionum are quite similar in shape but Hibiscus trionum is much the smaller of the two. Seed thickest at cotyledonCotyledon:
The modified storage leaf or pair of leaves of an embryo and seedling (see primary leaf).
 lobe, radicleRadicle:
The rudimentary root of the embryo, developing into the primary root after emergence from the seed coat.
 lobe thinner and exceeding cotyledonCotyledon:
The modified storage leaf or pair of leaves of an embryo and seedling (see primary leaf).
 lobe.

Noxious weed seed categories

State Noxious Weed: Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina,  Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin

AOSA examination list

Included

More information

For more information, see ISMA fact sheet.

Nomenclature

Family

Malvaceae

Valid name

Abutilon theophrasti Medik.

Synonyms

Abutilon abutilon (L.) Rusby, nom. inval.
Abutilon avicennae Gaertn.

From Left to Right: 1. Hibiscus trionum 2. Abutilon theophrasti. 
From Left to Right: 1. Hibiscus trionum 2. Abutilon theophrasti. 
Abutilon theophrasti.  Seeds with a black, striate hilum.
Abutilon theophrasti. Seeds with a black, striate hilum.
Abutilon theophrasti.  Dissection, cross view of embryo. Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Abutilon theophrasti.  Dissection, cross view of embryo. Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Abutilon theophrasti.  Marginal view of a seed, showing hilar notch (left) and opposite side (right). Maximum seed thickness is 1.9 mm. Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Abutilon theophrasti.  Marginal view of a seed, showing hilar notch (left) and opposite side (right). Maximum seed thickness is 1.9 mm. Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.