[3] Velvetleaf grows 3–8 feet tall on branched, stout stems covered in downy hairs.

[4] Pod-like capsules produced by the plant consist of 12-15 wood segments that form cup-like rings.

In order to disperse the seeds for reproduction, each carpel in the plant is opened with a vertical slit along the outer edge.

[9] The plant is also used to make ropes, coarse cloth, nets, paper, and caulk for boats, and is still cultivated in China to this day.

[10] Velvetleaf is used in Chinese traditional medicine as a treatment for dysentery and to treat eye injuries, including opacity of the cornea.

[13] Since being introduced to North America in the 18th century, velvetleaf has become an invasive species in agricultural regions of the eastern and midwestern United States.

[citation needed] Velvetleaf is a tall plant that can cause the shorter crops around it to not thrive by severely reducing light penetration into them.

[4] In order to eradicate velvetleaf, individual plants should be dug up or pulled out manually and not tilled or plowed to avoid seed germination.