Study species
Abutilon theophrasti Medicus (Malvaceae) is an annual weedy species native to China and India, but now spreads worldwide. Generally, its germination period ranges from April to July, and it grows rapidly to a height of 1-1.5 m with stout stems, reaching reproductive maturity within 90 days, and completes its life cycle in about five months (McConnaughay & Coleman, 1999). It colonizes relatively nutrient-rich habitats, and has substantial plasticity in allocation, morphology and architecture in response to varying environmental factors (McConnaughay & Bazzaz, 1992).