Common Australian Garden Weeds

Sida cordifolia

Scientific name: Sida cordifolia L.

Common name: Flannel weed

Family: Malvaceae

Origin:

Native of Australia.

Habit:

Perennial sub-shrub with erect, branching stems growing up to 1 m tall. Develops a robust branching taproot 1 m long.

Habitat:

A native plant considered a weed of untended areas.

General description:

Stems and leaves
Stems and leaves are densely covered in white soft hairs. Leaves are alternate, heart shaped (1.5-7.5 x 1-6 cm), have a serrated margin and stalks (petioles) 1-6 cm long.
Flowers and fruit
Flowers are often clustered in the leaf axils towards the tips of the stems. The flowers have individual stalks (pedicels) 3-8 mm long. Flowers are radially symmetrical with five 8-10 mm long yellow to pale orange petals. The petals often have a dark orange spot near the centre of the flower. The calyx (leafy bracts) of the flower is 6-7 mm long with 10 longitudinal ribs and five lobes. Flowering occurs throughout most of the year. The fruit are dark brown capsules 3-8 mm long with about 20 bristles at the top. Each fruit separates into 10 wedge-like segments each with 2 bristles and containing a seed.

Distinguishing features:

An erect perennial sub-shrub with distinctive felty, heart shaped leaves with serrated margins.

Noxious status:

Declared noxious in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Sources:

Kleinschmidt, H.E., Holland, A. and Simpson, P. (1996). Suburban Weeds. 3rd Edition. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Stanley, T.E. and Ross, E.M. (1983-1989). Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volume 2. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Anonymous. (2000). Noxious Weed List for Australian States and Territories. Prepared by the National Weeds Strategy Executive Committee.

Auld, B.A. and Medd, R.W. (1996). Weeds: An Illustrated Botanical Guide to Weeds of Australia. Inkata Press, Sydney.