Invasive Species: Fatoua villosa, Mulberryweed
Mulberryweed is an invasive annual that can grow to 2.6 ft. (0.8 m) tall. Stems are branched, erect, and have hooked hairs. Leaves are alternate, stipulate (deciduous), petiolate, 1 to 3.9 in. (2.5 to 10 cm) long, and 0.4 to 2.8 in. (1-7 cm) wide with toothed (pointed or rounded) margins. Flowering occurs in the summer and fall. Flowers are light green, unisexual, apetalous, and occur in axillary cymes. Fruit is a one-seeded achene less than 1/10 in. (0.8 mm) long. Mulberryweed is native to east Asia and occurs in wetlands and other moist, shaded areas. It is problematic in greenhouses and nurseries. The first known population in the United States was in Louisiana in 1964.
What are invasive species and why should we be concerned about them?
Taxonomy: Scientific and Common Names for This Species
Urticales > Moraceae > Fatoua villosa (Thunb.) Nakai
Synonym(s): hairy crabweed
Fatoua villosa – USDA PLANTS Profile
Distribution Maps
Mulberryweed – The reported distribution of this invasive species across the United States (Source: Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States)
Up-to-the-minute distribution maps and why they are important
Reporting This Invasive Species
What is the best way and place to report the occurrence of an invasive species?
How to report an invasive species sighting to EDDMapS – Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System
EDDMapS – Report an invasive species to EDDMapS.
Cooperative Extension Offices – Find your local Cooperative Extension office on this map provided by USDA.
How to Identify
This invasive species can be identified by looking for the characteristics described in the paragraphs that follow.
Plant
Mulberryweed is an annual that can grow to 2.6 ft. (0.8 m) tall. Stems are branched, erect, and have hooked hairs.
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| Mark Czarnota, University of Georgia, bugwood.org | Mark Czarnota, University of Georgia, bugwood.org |
Foliage
Leaves are alternate, stipulate (deciduous), petiolate, 1 to 3.9 in. (2.5 to 10 cm) long, and 0.4 to 2.8 in. (1 to 7 cm) wide with toothed (pointed or rounded) margins.
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| Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, bugwood.org | Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, bugwood.org |
Flower
Flowers are light green, unisexual, apetalous, and occur in axillary cymes.
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| Mark Czarnota, University of Georgia, bugwood.org | Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, bugwood.org |
Fruit
Fruit is a one-seeded achene that is less than 1/10 in. (0.8 mm) long.
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| Mark Czarnota, University of Georgia, bugwood.org | Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University, bugwood.org |
Native Species That Can Resemble Mulberryweed
– Images at invasive.org
| bugwood.org | bugwood.org |
– Images at invasive.org
| bugwood.org | bugwood.org |
Additional Images for Mulberryweed
Mulberryweed – Images at Invasive.org
Learning Resources for Mulberryweed
Additional Information, Biology, Control and Management Resources
Control and management recommendations vary according to individual circumstances. Location, habitat, weather, and a variety of other conditions are factors that help determine the best treatment choice. To find the safest and most effective treatment for your situation, consult your state’s land-grant institution. If you will use chemicals as part of the control process, always refer to the product label.
United States Land-Grant University System – Find your land-grant university’s college of agriculture, Cooperative Extension office, or other related partner on this map provided by USDA.
Mulberry Weed: Identification and Control – University of Georgia
Fatoua villosa – Missouriplants.com
Flora of North America – eFloras.org
Weed IT – NC State University
Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium – University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point