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Sat, Aug 4, 12 at 13:48
| Please help me identify this plant which is growing in the backyard. Full sunlight, thriving with little water. Is growing like a weed in our new purchased homes backyard. Is it a weed? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| wanted to post a bud photo as well. Thanks! |
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| Abutilon theophrasti |
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- Posted by gardengal48 PNW zone 8 (My Page) on Sun, Aug 5, 12 at 14:29
| Aka velvetleaf. And the answer to "is it a weed" is yes :-) |
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| abutilon spp are members of the mallow family and several of them have medicinal uses. if a weed is defined as 'a plant growing where its not wanted' its only a weed if you don't want it there or don't use it for something. as an herbalist i feel abutilon is a desirable plant to have somewhere in the garden. |
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- Posted by gardengal48 PNW zone 8 (My Page) on Sun, Aug 5, 12 at 18:04
| FWIW, velvetleaf is a listed invasive or noxious weed in many areas. That's not to say the plant in question may be attractive to some or even of some beneficial or medicinal purpose......however being assigned the title of invasive or noxious weed indicates the plant poses an ecological threat to some measurable degree. It is of particular concern in agricultural areas, as it invades croplands and outcompetes food crops, typically corn and soybeans. It is an extremely difficult plant to control, as each plant produces upwards of 17,000 seeds and these remain viable for 50-60 years. |
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