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Sida spp.

sidas

Malvaceae

Pantropical and warm-temperate, chiefly the Americas

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

Overview

Sida spp. is a genus of about 200 species of herbs and small shrubs in the family Malvaceae, distributed through tropical and warm-temperate regions worldwide, with many species in the Americas. Plants grow from 8 to 60 inches (20 to 150 cm) tall, with slender, often tough and wiry stems and alternate, toothed leaves that are lance-shaped to rounded and sometimes star-hairy. The five-petalled flowers are mallow-like and small, usually 0.2 to 0.8 inch (5 to 20 mm) across, in shades of yellow, cream, orange, or white, opening for part of the day. Each flower develops into a ring of wedge-shaped segments that split apart at maturity, scattering the seeds. S. rhombifolia and S. acuta are widespread, tough-stemmed plants used locally for fibre and folk medicine, and several species are aggressive weeds of pasture and cropland. The stems of some yield a strong bast fibre. A number of species contain ephedrine-type alkaloids and are toxic to grazing livestock. Most behave as short-lived perennials in frost-free areas and as annuals where winters are cold.

Native Range

Distributed pantropically and into warm-temperate zones, with the greatest diversity in the Americas. Several species, including S. rhombifolia and S. spinosa, occur natively or as naturalized weeds across the southern United States, the tropics, and Australia.

Suggested Uses

Grown on a small scale for bast fibre and in traditional medicine in parts of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. In most regions the genus is encountered as a weed of pastures, crops, and disturbed land rather than as a garden plant. Some species are a nectar source for bees and small butterflies.

How to Identify

Recognized by small five-petalled mallow flowers in yellow to cream, set among alternate, toothed, often roughly hairy leaves on wiry stems. The fruit is a flat ring of wedge-shaped segments that break apart when ripe. Many species have a tough, fibrous stem that is hard to snap.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 5'

Width/Spread8" - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~16 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Flowering occurs through the warm months, from late spring to autumn in temperate areas and much of the year in the tropics. The small flowers open for only part of each day, often the morning. Seed is produced freely and over a long period.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow, cream, orange, or white

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Sida spp. species grow in full sun on a wide range of soils, including poor, compacted, and disturbed ground, and tolerate drought and heat once established. Many are pioneers of waste ground and roadsides and need no care to persist. Soil pH from 5.5 to 7.5 is acceptable. The deep, tough taproot makes established plants hard to pull, which contributes to their weediness. In gardens they are mostly unwanted volunteers rather than planted subjects, though a few are grown for fibre or medicinal study.

Pruning

Pruning is not a normal practice, as these are mostly wild or weedy plants. Cutting or mowing before seed sets is the usual way to limit spread. The tough stems resist hand-pulling once the taproot is established.