velvetleaf

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• China jute
• butterprint
• velvetleaf
• velvetleaf abutilon
• American-jute
• China-jute
• Chingma-lantern
• Indian-mallow
• Tientsin-jute
• abutilon-hemp
• swamp Chinese-lantern
• velvetweed
• velvet-Leaf

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Malva abutilon
• Abutilon tiliifolium
• Abutilon avicennae f. tiliifolium
• Abutilon theophrasti var. nigrum
• Abutilon avicennae f. parviflorum
• Sida abutilon
• Abutilon behrianum
• Sida tiliifolia
• Abutilon theophrasti var. chinense
• Abutilon commune
• Abutilon avicennae var. chinense
• Abutilon avicennae f. nigrum
• Abutilon avicennae var. violaceum
• Abutilon avicennae var. aureum
• Abutilon avicennae var. cordatum
• Abutilon avicennae var. rotundifolium

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malvales, it is classified under the family Malvaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Abutilon.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing in Finland as well as within Great Britain and Ireland. Its presence extends into Middle Europe, where it is documented in the country of Austria. Furthermore, the species is also located within the Czechia-Slovakia region. Together, these locations define the known range of this medicinal species across the northern and central parts of Europe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Abutilon theophrasti is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to thrive across a diverse range of landscapes. It can be found at elevations starting from sea level (0 m AMSL) and extending up to a maximum height of 2300 m AMSL. Regarding its preferred environmental conditions, the plant is frequently situated within lowland habitats, where it adapts to the specific climatic and soil requirements of these lower-altitude regions.

Elevational range max:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Abutilon theophrasti is characterized by its existence as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives unfavorable environmental conditions by producing seeds that remain dormant until favorable conditions return, rather than maintaining persistent vegetative structures above ground. Throughout its active growth phase, the plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it reaches the end of its life cycle or responds to seasonal changes.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Abutilon theophrasti is characterized by a growth form categorized as a non-woody herb or forb. This independent, non-parasitic plant typically exhibits a terrestrial habit, neither functioning as an epiphyte nor requiring aquatic environments for its development. In terms of structural support, it is a self-supporting species rather than a liana or vine. The plant's stature varies significantly depending on environmental conditions, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.25 m to a maximum of 2 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 1.05 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1.05 m

Plant height min:

0.25 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Abutilon theophrasti is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. The plant is non-carnivorous, relying on standard soil-based nutrient uptake rather than specialized insectivorous mechanisms, and it does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic capabilities to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms. Morphologically, the leaves exhibit significant variability in size; while the average leaf length is approximately 7.5 cm, individual leaves can range from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum length of 17.5 cm.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

17.5 cm

Leaf length mean:

7.5 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Abutilon theophrasti is characterized by a sexual process involving bisexual flowers, with asexual reproduction being entirely absent. The flowering period typically begins in July and concludes in September. The plant relies on biotic pollination, specifically utilizing an insect-driven pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization, as self-fertilization is noted to be absent. Following successful pollination, the plant produces a capsule-type fruit that is dehiscent in nature. These capsules maintain consistent dimensions, with a mean fruit length of 1.2 cm and a mean fruit width of 2 cm. Each fruit contains a significant quantity of seeds, ranging from 11 to 100 seeds per fruit. The individual seeds are characterized by a mean width of 3 mm and a mean mass of approximately 0.00953 g, with mass values ranging from a minimum of 0.00754 g to a maximum of 0.01041 g. Seed dispersal is achieved through a combination of unspecialized and anthropochorous syndromes, meaning the seeds are spread both through non-specific natural methods and through human activity.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

1.2 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

2 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.01041 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00953144433333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.00754 g

Seed width mean:

3 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

11-100

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Abutilon theophrasti has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.

Flower

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Chemicals

Abutilon theophrasti has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include quercetin, (+)-catechin, (-)-Epicatechin, Cyanidin, Delphinidin.

quercetin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

(+)-catechin

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Epicatechin

1. Dr. Duke

Cyanidin

1. Dr. Duke

Delphinidin

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

RUTIN

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

caffeic acid

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

cholesterol

1. Dr. Duke

kaempferol

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Abutilon theophrasti has 231 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, ATPase-Inhibitor.

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Abutilon theophrasti has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include E. coli, Tobacco mosaic virus, dysentery, gastric ulcer, oxidative stress.

E. coli

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Tobacco mosaic virus

1. Plant disease

Dysentery

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Gastric ulcer

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Oxidative stress

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Peptic ulcer

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Preparations

Abutilon theophrasti has 3 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include dried tissues, flowers, methanol extracts.

Dried tissues

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Flowers

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Methanol extracts

1. Natural product research