Why is velvetleaf mallow called velvetleaf mallow?
Why is Allowissadula holosericea called velvetleaf mallow? Because it’s a mallow whose leaves really do feel like velvet. Here’s a closeup of a square inch or so of a leaf’s underside. It’s all those little hairs that create the feeling of softness when touched.
The made-up species name holosericea means ‘all silky,’ but I wouldn’t describe the feel of one of these leaves as silky (even if velvet can be made from silk). Maybe whoever coined the term couldn’t find a Greek or Latin word for ‘velvety.’
© 2013 Steven Schwartzman
Portraits of Wildflowers 
Really nice study in texture. Just the right lighting to give the thing a three-dimensional quality which reminds me of a Scanning Electron Micrograph. D
Pairodox Farm
October 29, 2013 at 6:37 AM
Now if you can find a way for me to carry a scanning electron micrograph around with me on my jaunts in nature, I’ll be sure to post pictures I take with it.
Steve Schwartzman
October 29, 2013 at 6:40 AM
Ooooh, fuzzy :).
photosfromtheloonybin
October 29, 2013 at 7:02 AM
I wish I could send this fuzziness through the Internet to you.
Steve Schwartzman
October 29, 2013 at 7:09 AM
I would like a whole blanket like that :).
photosfromtheloonybin
October 29, 2013 at 7:12 AM
The leaves of this plant can be on the large size, but they’re not large enough to blanket a person. I guess you could stitch a bunch together, or you could find a way to miniaturize yourself and hope a spider or bug doesn’t get you while you’re luxuriating on your fuzzy leaf.
Steve Schwartzman
October 29, 2013 at 7:25 AM
That’s a good close-up shot. I was wondering why so many hairs. What is their purpose? I suppose they could provide some measure of protection with their softening effect. There is a weed we always find here in row crop country called button weed, or velvetleaf.
http://extension.psu.edu/pests/weeds/weed-id/velvetleaf
The hairs on it are in conjunction with a gland that releases a toxic substance. Quoting…
“Velvetleaf contains allelopathic (toxic) chemicals that inhibit water uptake and chlorophyll production in many crop plants, especially soybeans. These chemicals are found in the microscopic glands at the base of the stem hairs. Rainfall washes the chemicals off the plant and into the soil, where they exert their toxic effect.”
There you go again. You’ve instigated a learning experience before I’ve even had breakfast. Luckily, I had some coffee. 🙂
Jim in IA
October 29, 2013 at 7:09 AM
From your link I see that Abutilon theophrasti is an invasive from Asia and that it has spread over much of North America. I did a bit more searching and was dismayed to find the alien species has been found in my county, which means that I may have mistaken it for a native Abutilon species. I’ll have to look for a botanical key to be able to identify the invasive and distinguish it from any native relatives. Thanks for the alert, and for the reciprocal learning.
Steve Schwartzman
October 29, 2013 at 7:21 AM
My pleasure.
Jim in IA
October 29, 2013 at 7:32 AM
A strong abstract that has a story or two to tell.
lensandpensbysally
October 29, 2013 at 8:43 AM
I give you license to write the stories, Sally, if you’re ever in the mood.
Steve Schwartzman
October 29, 2013 at 9:32 AM
I love macro photography! Well done!
Chrisroxxs
October 29, 2013 at 12:04 PM
Thanxxs. Yes, macro roxxs.
Steve Schwartzman
October 29, 2013 at 12:23 PM
hahahah speaking of roxx 😉 … if you are interested, please take a look at my macro pics here:
http://chrisroxxs.wordpress.com/2013/04/01/167/
Chrisroxxs
October 31, 2013 at 6:00 PM
I did check them out the other day, thanks.
Steve Schwartzman
October 31, 2013 at 6:47 PM
There is a picture worth a thousand words. I like plants with hairy leaves although there is one I am not so fond to touch…..Urtica dioica. 😦 Nasty little trichomes full of histamine. Holy crapoley!…..they are painful Anyway, these little hairs look very inviting and benevolent.
Steve Gingold
October 29, 2013 at 4:01 PM
We have several species of nettles here, and with all the time I spend sprawled on the ground taking pictures, I’ve had an occasional run-in with those stinging hairs too. With that and cacti and fire ants and various other Texas delights, I long ago learned to carry a little tube of cortisone or benzocaine cream in my camera bag. As you say, though, the little hairs on velvetleaf mallow are benign, hooray, and I rarely pass a group of these plants without touching them.
Steve Schwartzman
October 29, 2013 at 4:15 PM
Your comment reminded me….I used to have a cactus filled green house many years ago. One day a friend brought a friend to visit my plants. His friend was blind and, as you know, would sometimes “see” things with his sense of touch. You know how all those little opuntia hairs will cover your skin with the slightest of brushes? Not this guy. He could run his fingers over any type of cactus without any of that thorny problem the rest of us experience. I do think fire ants would be an entirely different experience though.
Steve Gingold
October 29, 2013 at 4:24 PM
That’s quite a story. Given the choice, I think I’d stay with my sight and occasional glochids in my skin.
Steve Schwartzman
October 29, 2013 at 4:30 PM
Amazing to see much detail in this macro close-up. Indeed velvety!
M. Firpi
October 29, 2013 at 9:20 PM
Call it a bit of synesthesia in which the tactile is made visual.
Steve Schwartzman
October 29, 2013 at 10:02 PM
Since silk velvet *is* made up of zillions of silk fibers, the name still suits, just in a more macroscopic way than usual perhaps.
kathryningrid
October 31, 2013 at 5:54 PM
I’ll leave all considerations of fabrics to you who know about such things while I keep on fabricating photographs.
Steve Schwartzman
October 31, 2013 at 6:45 PM
You’ve really captured the velvet feel with this photo. Nice.
Susan Scheid
November 9, 2013 at 5:56 PM
Hi, Susan. As I’ve said about other things, I’m sorry not to be able to send the feel over the Internet to you.
Steve Schwartzman
November 9, 2013 at 7:43 PM