Malvaceae

Malvella leprosa

Common Names: Alkali sida

Plant Form: Low growing perennial herb. Size: Up to 35 cm tall. Stem: Light green and slender, covered in many star-shaped hairs. Creeping or upright. Leaves: Oval to kidney or fan-shaped 1-4 cm long, with large rounded teeth on edges. Densely covered in hairs giving greyish appearance. Alternate along stems. Flowers: Cream to yellow 2-4 cm diameter with 5 petals, with notched, wavy, or rounded tips. In small clusters at end of branches or at leaf joins. Fruit and Seeds: Cone or disc shaped 1-6 mm diameter, divided into segments, with 6-10 seeds per fruit. Habitat: Pastures, channel banks. Distinguishing Features: Differs from closely related Sida species in overall growth form and leaf shape. Impacts: Outcompetes with crop species, forms dense colonies, unpalatable and somewhat toxic to stock.