Sida abutilifolia
spreading sida
Southern North America to South America
Overview
Sida abutilifolia is a low, mat-forming perennial in the mallow family, sending out trailing stems 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) long that hug the ground and root at the nodes. The plant rarely stands more than 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) tall, forming patches up to 2 feet (60 cm) across. Leaves are oblong to lance-shaped, 0.5-1.5 inches (1.5-4 cm) long, with toothed margins and a slightly rough surface. Pale yellow to cream flowers about 0.5 inch (12 mm) wide open singly in the leaf axils, usually around midday, each with five petals. The fruit is a small segmented capsule that breaks into wedge-shaped seeds. It grows in sandy, disturbed, and compacted soils, including lawns, roadsides, and overgrazed ground, and tolerates heat and drought through a deep taproot. The trailing stems can spread into a weedy mat in turf and cultivated beds. Flowers close by afternoon, so the plant looks sparse outside the morning hours. Foliage dies back in cold winters and resprouts from the root crown in spring.
Native Range
Sida abutilifolia is native to the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America. In the United States it ranges across Texas and the Gulf Coast into the Southwest, growing in sandy, disturbed, and open ground.Suggested Uses
Sida abutilifolia is used as a tough groundcover for hot, dry, sandy sites and in restoration of disturbed or overgrazed ground. It tolerates traffic and poor soil where turf grasses thin out. Because it spreads readily, it suits naturalized or utility areas more than tidy ornamental beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 6"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from spring through autumn, roughly April to October, with the heaviest bloom in warm, moist periods. Individual flowers open near midday and close by afternoon, lasting a single day. New flowers form continuously in the leaf axils over the long season. Bees and other small insects visit the flowers.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pale yellow to creamFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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