Description: Family: Malvaceae Distribution: A weed of waste places in all plains in India. 30-50cm tall pubescent herbs. Leaves simple, stipules linear, serrate, Flowers solitary or 2-3 clusered, peduncles longer than petioles, peduncle jointed in the middle half, bracteoles zero, sepals and petals 5, staminal tube divided into numerous stamens at the top. ovary 5-12 celled, carpels awned. Photographed at Nellore. Date: 11 February 2011, 18:16. Source: Sida rhombifolia L.. Author: Lalithamba from India.
Description: Introduced, warm-season, perennial, erect herb to 1 m tall. It has a woody base and deep taproot. Leaves are darker above and lanceolate, diamond shaped or oblong, with toothed edges. Flowers are yellow to pale orange, 1-1.5 cm wide and solitary on slender stems 1-3 cm long. Flowering is from late spring to autumn. A native of tropical regions, it is a weed of disturbed and shaded areas, such as gardens, overgrazed pastures and wasteland. Favoured by heavy grazing, shade or disturbances which reduces plant competition and ground cover. Common in horse paddocks. Has low palatability for cattle and low feed value. Control can be achieved by increasing the density and bulk of pastures through improved fertility and the use of good grazing management. Grazing with goats is also effective, as it is highly palatable to them. Isolated plants can be chipped out, but will regrow if taproot is not removed. Slashing at early flowering will reduce seed production and produce new growth for spraying. Spot spray young plants with selective or nonselective herbicides, although mature plants are quite resistant to herbicides. Date: 31 March 2006, 15:10. Source: Sida rhombifolia plant8. Author: Harry Rose from South West Rocks, Australia.
