Sida L.
Genus composed of around 150 species distributed through tropical, subtropical and temperate regions, especially in America. Annual pubescent, perennial or shrubby plants. In North Africa it is represented by 3 taxa, which are at least partially woody.
A further species, adventitious, can be found at least in Egypt: S. acuta Burm.f. [Malvastrum carpinifolium (L.f.) A. Gray, Malvinda carpinifolia (L.f.) Medik., S. balbisiana DC.] is a perennial plant or small shrub, 30-80 cm in height, with a woody base; trunk erect and branched. It is differentiated by its subglabrous or sparsely puberulent stems. Leaf blade 1-6 × 0.5-1.5 cm, lanceolate, glabrous or finely pilose, with serrated margin, rounded base, acute apex. Petiole 2-6 mm. Stipules 0.2-1.2 cm, linear-lanceolate to filiform. Flowers axillary, solitary or in racemes of 2-3 flowers; pedicel 2-5 mm. Sepals 5-6.5 mm campanulate, acuminate lobe. Petals 8-9 mm, yellow. Fruits with 6-10 mericarps, 3-4 mm each, tetrahedral, with 2 apical edges, reticulated on the back, with striated sides, glabrous. Seeds 2 mm, glabrous, dark brown. Ruderal plant, that grows in cultivated areas, ditches, borders of crops, margins of irrigation canals, etc. It presents a pantropical distribution and it has spread to other areas such as the Nile delta.
Flora of Pakistan. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=200013759 [Fecha consulta: 09-2017]
Friis, I. & Vollensen, K. 1998, Flora of the Sudan-Uganda border área east of the Nile: catalogue of vascular plants. Vegetation and phytogeography.
Key to species
1 Mericarps with conspicuous edges 3-8 mm, with retrorse hairs Sida cordifolia
1 Mericarps without edges, or with edges less than 2 mm; hairs, if present, expanded 2
2 Leaves glabrous or slightly pilose Sida acuta
2 Leaves with dense indumentum of stellate hairs on the underside 3
3 Mericarps rugose, without edges Sida ovata
3 Mericarps with 2 edges Sida rhombifolia
Updated by: A.F. Carrillo.