Allow me to introduce the Velvetleaf. Of all the weeds we battle at Ginkgo, this is my favorite - it's easy enough to pull up and has the softest leaves and stems imaginable. Cool seed pods too!
A member of the Mallow family, Abutilon theophrastii is an annual that can grow several feet tall. It flowers sparingly in the late summer and early fall and attracts several different types of bees.
And while I can't personally attest to this statement from IllinoisWildflowers.info, I don't doubt it: "In
an outdoor emergency, the soft leaves can be used as a substitute
for toilet paper."
