Sida rhombifolia L.

Bushy annual up to 1 m high, becoming very woody towards base and developing a long root. Stems moderately clothed in fine stellate hairs when young, becoming glabrous when older. Lvs densely clothed in stellate hairs below, moderately clothed in stellate hairs above, often becoming ± glabrous above when older, rhombic to oblong, obtuse at apex, not lobed, serrate except near base, 10–30–(60) mm long; petioles 1–5–(8) mm long; stipules linear, 3–5 mm long. Fls axillary and solitary, often appearing clustered among lvs in short axillary branches; fruiting pedicels 10–25–(30) mm long; calyx campanulate, clothed in very fine stellate hairs with 10 thickened nerves toward base; calyx teeth ovate-triangular, acuminate, < tube; petals pale yellow to orange, 3–8 mm long. Mericarps 8–12 per fr., glabrous, ± smooth on back, inner edges shortly awned, indehiscent.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Jan.–Jun.