Plant: perennial herb; Procumbent perennial herbs, stellate-pubescent and usually with simple hairs 1-2 mm long

Leaves: ovate to oblong, crenate, up to 1.5 cm long (occasionally larger)

Flowers: solitary in the leaf axils on slender pedicels; calyx 4-5(-7) mm long; petals white, 5-6 mm long; styles 5

Fruit: FRUITS oblate-conical schizocarp, pubescent, 5 mm diameter; mericarps 5, with apical spines 0-0.5 mm long; SEEDS solitary, glabrous

Misc: Arid, sandy plains and on roadsides; 750-1800 m (2500-6000 ft); flowering throughout the year

REFERENCES: Fryxell, Paul A. 1994. Malvaceae. J. Ariz. - Nev. Acad. Sci. Volume 27(2), 222-236.

Duration: Perennial

Nativity: Non-Native

Lifeform: Forb/Herb

General: Introduced procumbent perennial herbs, stellate-pubescent and usually with simple hairs 1-2 mm long.

Leaves: Ovate to oblong, crenate, up to 1.5 cm long or occasionally larger.

Flowers: Solitary in the leaf axils on slender pedicels, calyx 4-5 mm long, petals white, 5-6 mm long, 5 styles.

Fruits: Oblate-conical, pubescent, 5 mm diameter, mericarps 5, with apical spines 0-.5 mm long.

Ecology: Found on arid, sandy plains and on roadsides, from 2,500-6,000 ft (762-1981 m); flowers throughout year.

Distribution: Introduced to CA, AZ NM, TX, OK, FL; south to s MEX, and in S. Amer.

Notes: Diagnostic for this plant is the combination of a ascending or often prostrate, spreading habit; the stiff, erect bristle-like hairs all over; dark green, serrate, lanceolate to oval leaves; the peach to orange flowers which arise singly from leaf axils; and the 5 sections of fruits (mericarps).

Ethnobotany: Unknown

Etymology: Sida is the name Theophrastus gave to the lily, abutifolia comes from abutilon and folia for leaves, meaning mallow-like leaves.

Synonyms: Sida filicaulis, Sida filiformis, Sida procumbens, Sida supina

Editor: SBuckle 2010, FSCoburn 2015