Alkali Sida

Malvella leprosa

Alternative Name(s): Sida leprosa, Malva leprosa, Sida hederacea, Ivy-Leaf Sida

Family: Malvaceae.

Form: Herb

Origin: Native of western North America.

Flowers/Seedhead: Sepals joined at base and 5–10 mm long; petals 10–15 mm long, yellow to cream. Flowers summer and autumn.

Description: Low growing olive-green perennial herb to 30 cm high. Stems to 50 cm long. Leaves 1–3cm long, 1–4.5 cm wide, lower surface paler, margins irregularly toothed; on stalk shorter or longer than leaf blade. Fruit with 6–10 fruitlets (mericarps) each containing one seed. Fruitlets about 2 mm wide, dark brown, roughened.

Distinguishing features: Distinguished by stems and leaves with small star-shaped hairs; leaves kidney-shaped with asymmetric base, 1–3 cm long; whorl of 3 bracts, 3–4 mm long attached to the jointed sepals below the flowers; petals have star-shaped hairs on the back (in Australia); fruit 5–6 mm wide, fruitlets with rounded apex.

Dispersal: Spreads by seeds and root fragments.