Spinyhead sida, Green sida
Sida acuta

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows up to 70 cm high. It has many branches. The leaf stalk is 4-6 mm long. The leaves are sword shaped. They are 2-5 cm long by 0.4-1 cm wide. They have teeth around the edge. The flowers are yellow. They occur in the axils of leaves. They are either singly or in pairs. The fruit is nearly round and 3-5 mm across.

There are about 100-200 Sida species. They are mostly tropical to warm temperate. The roots are used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It is common in waste places. It grows in savannah woodland and palm groves. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Benin, Bhutan, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Central Africa, China, Christmas Island, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, North America, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Rotuma, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Suriname, Swaziland, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

CAUTION: In some places the leaves are used to produce abortions. The young leaves are cooked and eaten as vegetable.

It is sold in local markets in China. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Adongo nyar yuoro, Ancharna, Ariva-mooku kelrai, Bala dungaraubal, Bala, Balajungli-methi, Bariara,Bassoura, Boriala, Bunga telur belangkas, Cha da India, Cheruparuva, Chikana, Chitimutti, Delelemukula, Galunggang, Holap, Huang hua ren, Indlekwane, Ipirpijon, Karenta, Kareta, Kayapunalu, Ketumbar hutan, Kharenta, Khareti, Latele-bala, Lidah ular, Malaitangi, Malatanni, Mat'zai:ru, Mayir-manikham, Mai rou cao, Mutuvapulagam, Nachano, Neelabenda, N'tachen, Ongodi, Pata, Pazhampaasi, Pila-barela-shikar, Pokok kelulut puteh, Pon musuttai, Sadagori, Seleguri, Sidaguri, Siobola, Sirivadibabila, Sunakhodika, Sweer berela, Taaiman, Ting-khilow, Tukati, Tupkaria, Vassoura-di-camara, Vattatirippi, Veyo dhiggaa, Vir miru baha, Visha boddi, Yung kwat, Yung pat

Synonyms

Sida acuta var. intermedia S. Y. Hu; Sida carpinifolia Linn. f.;