Ever since we had some work done on our septic and soil was brought in, we have some new plants growing in the pasture. Right now they’re only growing where the new soil is, but I have a feeling they might be the kind of plant that spreads easily.
I looked into them a bit and found they are called Velvet Leaf or Chinese Jute. Their stems are very strong and have been used to make fiber for thousands of years. They also have a bright orange flower. So they’re interesting looking and useful. It seems they have a long history in China and the US, but I’ll need more time to read up on them.
They are edible and not harmful to the animals, but the sheep and donkeys show no interest in eating them.
I can’t quite figure out if it’s invasive and will try to take over the pasture like pokeweed did. If so I’ll pull them up. There are few enough to keep on top of them at this point.
So if anyone has any experience with it, I’d be interested in hearing what you know.
Velvetleaf is a non-native species and as such has become invasive in the mid-west and hortheast. It is damaging to agricultural crops such as corn and soybeans. Might be good to nip it in the bud,
I’m going to do that Jill, thanks for your input.
According to this site: https://www.plantspotter.net/velvetleaf-abutilon-theophrasti/, this plant IS considered an invasive species… as someone who has learned the hard way not to ignore plants like this, I’d suggest yanking them out now while there aren’t as many. It IS an interesting plant, though, w/some medicinal properties, but with the animals, it may not be good to get a toehold in their pastures.
It seems to be unanimous Bridget. I’ve heard from others here that it takes over in crops like corn, Not good for my neighboring farmers. I’ve now decided to pull it out.
Hi Maria, Velvet leaf is not something you would want to encourage in your pastures. The seed can be viable for 50 years and thrives in nutrient soils, germination rates are also high so just a few plants to start can quickly become hundreds. Up to you of course, but not a plant I left in my pastures in the past, especially if the animals are not interested in eating it. It most likely came in on any soil or on machines used/ brought in from the septic work or birds may have “transported” the seed
Good to know Marianna. Thank you. I believe it came in with the soil, or like you say on the machinery because I’ve never seen it before.
So I have to go look it up because that is what I do. Have seen it before, a long time ago.
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/velvetleaf-abutilon-theophrasti/
Velvetleaf typically occurs where the soil has been recently disturbed and the long dormant seeds are brought close to the soil surface. Each plant produces 700 to 17,000 viable seeds. The seeds can remain viable in soil for over 50 years. It is invasive.
If you animals are not eating it, I would pull it before it takes over foraging grasses.
Thanks Sharon.
Chinese jute seems like it’s only invasive in terms of crops like corn and soybeans. I don’t know if it would be invasive in terms of your pasture other than providing too much shade. It has a ton of medicinal uses from the roots to the leaves to the seeds. The stems can provide a fabric (?) but the process seems really complicated. This is what I’ve read at various sites and it was fun to do the research. Thanks for the pick me up!
Thanks for the info Becky, I love the idea of making fiber from it. I learned how to do that with Dogbane, so maybe it would be the same.
Here is what I found online Maria: “because seeds can remain viable in the soil for 50 years or more, velvetleaf can be very difficult to eradicate if infestations are allowed to persist and produce seed. It is important to watch carefully for this plant and remove it as soon as it is found.”
That’ says it all Sharon. Thankyou !