Malvaceae Week: Sida cordifolia from Delhi

[Gurcharan Singh]

Sida cordifolia Linn., Sp.Pl. 684. 1753.

syn: Sida herbacea Cay.; Sida holosericea Wind. ex Sprengel

Erect velvety undershrub, stellate tomentose with filiform 2-6 mm long stipules, up to 3 cm long petiole, up to 5 cm long leaves usually ovate with rounded or slightly cordate base, stellate tomentose, crenate to serrate; flowers solitary or paired with stellate tomentose calyx; petals yellow, slightly longer than calyx; fruit 5-8 mm across, mericarps 9-10, each with 2 divergent 3-5 mm long awns.

Not to be confused with S. cordata (syn: S. veronicifolia) a prostrate herb with long-petioled cordate-ovate leaves, palmately veined, and only 5 mericarps without awns.

Photographed from Old Delhi Ridged in April 

--
Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Retired  Associate Professor
SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007
Res: 932 Anand Kunj, Vikas Puri, New Delhi-110018.
Phone: 011-25518297  Mob: 9810359089
http://people.du.ac.in/~singhg45/

[Balkar Arya]

All doubts clear Sir

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Regards

Dr Balkar Singh
Head, Deptt. of Botany and Biotechnology
Arya P G College, Panipat
Haryana-132103
09416262964