Sida ovata

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A herb or shrub. It is erect and keeps growing from year to year. It grows 90 cm high. It is hairy. The leaves are 2-5 cm long and 1-4 cm wide. They are oval and have coarse teeth. They are dark green above and ash grey underneath. The flowers are white and in the axils of leaves. They occur singly or in pairs.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in well drained soil and can be in rocky and sandy soils. It grows between 800-1,200 m above sea level. It is rare in Swaziland. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Arabia, Asia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Chad, Congo, East Africa, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, India, Iran, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Oman, Pakistan, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bal, Dhabi, Egweret, Okahamupunda, Qirqixxe

Synonyms

Sida grewioides Guill. & Perr.;