What is this plant? - Ask Extension
This plant grew up wild under my bird feeders. I originally thought it was a sunflower, as that's what we keep in our feeder, which was why I allo...
Knowledgebase
What is this plant? #349891
Asked August 04, 2016, 9:56 AM EDT
This plant grew up wild under my bird feeders. I originally thought it was a sunflower, as that's what we keep in our feeder, which was why I allowed it to grow, but discovered it was not when it started to bloom. The leaves have a velvety texture, as does the stem.
Outagamie County Wisconsin
Expert Response
It looks like velvet weed, or Velvetleaf weed
(Abutilon theophrasti), also known as buttonweed, wild cotton,
butterprint and Indian mallow. It is native to Southern Asia and fairly invasive. It probably was a weed in the field of sunflowers, etc used to grow the bird seed you put in your feeders.
