Fatoua villosa

Mulberryweed, in the Moraceae family, is an erect, branched annual herb resembling a mulberry seedling, except stems and leaves are hairy and sticky to the touch (stems of mulberry saplings are not hairy). Leaves are alternate, and roughly triangular in outline with toothed margins. Flowers are in feathery clusters in the leaf axils. Flower clusters are purple when young, fading to dark brown with age. Plants flower from late spring through early fall, then die after frost.

Seeds are forcefully expelled at least 4 feet. Seedlings may flower and fruit within 12 days of reaching the 2-leaf growth stage. Seeds germinate from early spring through late fall, resulting in many generations per year.

Mulberryweed was first reported for North America in Louisiana in 1964. Since then, it has become widespread and often occurs as a weed in greenhouses and disturbed sites.  Although well managed by certain pre-emergent herbicides, populations may continue to build in the absence of aggressive sanitation programs. Herbicide efficacy rankings for this species are based on limited experimental data. The plant is listed as invasive in some states.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

Mulberryweed does not have many enemies, is weedy and can become invasive. For information on controlling Mulberryweed, see the following North Carolina State University publication.