Abutilon theophrasti
Abutilon theophrasti is an herb in the mallow family with pretty yellow flowers that is introduced from India and mainly occurs in agricultural fields.
| Scientific Name: | Abutilon theophrasti |
| Synonym: | Abutilon theophrastii |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Common Name: | Velvet-leaf |
| Authority: | Medikus. |
| Etymology: | Abutilon is from the Greek word "aubutilun" and was named by Arabic scholar Avicenna, thought to be the father of modern medicine, and theophrasti is named after the Greek scientist Theophrastus (370-285 BC), often considered the father of botany. |
| C Value: | * |
| Wetness: | FACU- |
| # of Species in Genus in Illinois: | 1 |
| Duration: | Annual |
| Reproduction: | Monoecious |
| Flower Type: | Perfect |
| Flower Shape: | Actinomorphic (radially symmetrical) |
| Flower # of Parts: | 5 |
| Flower Color: | Yellow |
| Growth Habit: | Forb |
| Leaf Arrangement: | Alternate |
| Leaf Type: | Simple |
| Leaf Shape: | Ovate (widest below middle) |
| Leaf Shape Term: | |
| Leaf Margin: | Toothed |
| Leaf Toothing: | shallowly dentate |
| Stem Surface: | Pubescent |
| Trunk/Bark: | Herbaceous |
| Armature: | None |
| Twig Characteristics: | Herbaceous |
| Habitat: | Roadside, Fields |
| Distribution: | BONAP Distribution Map |
| Status (State): | Not Listed |
| Status (Federal): | Not Listed |
| ID Tips: | The large leaves and relatively small yellow flowers (compared to Hibiscus), make this an easy plant to identify. |
| Gee Whiz: | The fruits were used to made impressions on butter, leading to another common name, butter-print. Native to India. |
| Humor: | Sometimes called farmer's friend because the large, soft leaves can be used as a substitute for toilet paper when nature calls while working on the farm fields. |
| More Info: | Illinois Wildflowers Search |