Velvet poplar

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Velvet poplar
Velvet poplar (Abutilon theophrasti)

Velvet poplar ( Abutilon theophrasti )

Systematics
Eurosiden II
Order : Mallow-like (Malvales)
Family : Mallow family (Malvaceae)
Subfamily : Malvoideae
Genre : Abutilon
Type : Velvet poplar
Scientific name
Abutilon theophrasti
Medic.

The Velvetleaf or Hárslevelű velvetleaf ( Abutilon theophrasti ) is a plant from the genus Abutilon within the family of the Malvaceae (Malvaceae).

description

inflorescence
Foliage leaf
Hairy stem
Unripe fruit
Seeds

Vegetative characteristics

The velvet poplar is an annual herbaceous plant that reaches heights of 1 and 2 meters. It grows upright with a dominant main axis. The above-ground parts of the plant are velvety hairy, hence the common name velvet poplar.

The alternate leaves are arranged in a petiole and a leaf blade. The petiole is relatively long. The simple leaf blade is round heart-shaped, whereby the tip can also be triangular. The leaf margin is serrated. Seven to eleven strong veins extend from the base of the leaf.

Generative characteristics

The flowers are in loose, zymose , axillary inflorescences . The flower stalk is 1 to 4 inches long. The hermaphrodite flowers are radially symmetrical and five-fold. The lanceolate to broadly lanceolate sepals are fused at the base. The five petals are dark yellow to light orange in color, spread out like a wheel and usually a good centimeter long. There are 12 to 15 carpels .

The characteristically shaped split fruit are almost spherical to hemispherical and disintegrate into 12 to 15 partial fruits, which open with a slit on the outside when ripe.

The number of chromosomes is 2n = 42.

Distribution, location requirements and use

It is originally a Central or South Asian species, although the exact distribution is not known. Abutilon theophrasti is a neophyte in large parts of Eurasia and North America . In Europe it was mainly found in southern Europe, and only very sporadically in Central Europe. Since 1990 and especially since 2000, however, it has increasingly appeared in all of Central Europe. They are mainly found in beet fields, as the herbicides approved for them do not offer any protection against Abutilon theophrasti .

Abutilon theophrasti was introduced as a fiber plant in parts of Europe, including Germany, North America and Australia as early as the 18th century , but where it could not prevail over fiber plants such as hemp , flax or the imported cotton . It is still grown in China .

The plant was included in the black list of invasive neophytes in Switzerland because of its potential for spreading and the damage it causes in the areas of biodiversity , health and economy . The velvet poplar is found as a weed in all crops , but is a problem in particular in beet and soybean cultivation, since, unlike in maize cultivation, herbicides with sufficient effectiveness are not permitted.

Sources and further information

literature

  • Henning Haeupler , Thomas Muer: picture atlas of the fern and flowering plants of Germany (= the fern and flowering plants of Germany. Volume 2). Published by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. Ulmer, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 3-8001-3364-4 .
  • Eva Haensel: Combating, competition and diversity from Abutilon theophrasti MED. (Linden-leaved Mallow) in sugar beets; University and State Library Bonn, Faculty of Agriculture, 2005 ( [1] )

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Erich Oberdorfer : Plant-sociological excursion flora for Germany and neighboring areas. 8th edition. Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart 2001, ISBN 3-8001-3131-5 . Page 659.
  2. ^ Federal Office for the Environment FOEN: Invasive Alien Species . ( admin.ch [accessed on August 6, 2019]).
  3. ↑ S. Buholzer, M. Nobis, N. Schoenenberger, S. Rometsch: List of the alien invasive plants of Switzerland . Ed .: Infoflora. ( infoflora.ch [accessed on August 6, 2019]).
  4. ↑ https://www.ages.at/themen/schaderreger/samtpappel/

Web links

Commons : Velvet Poplar ( Abutilon theophrasti )  - album with pictures, videos and audio files