Morning Mallow

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Snakebush
• Soap Bush
• broomweed
• southern sida
• spiny-head sida
• Spinyhead Sida
• common wireweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sida carpinifolia f. acuta
• Sida carpinifolia f. spiraeifolia
• Sida carpinifolia var. acuta
• Sida lancea
• Sida zelotes
• Sida repanda
• Sida vogelii
• Sida stauntaniana
• Sida schrankii
• Sida capensis
• Sida bradei
• Sida brasila
• Sida lanceolata
• Sida berlandieri
• Sida spiraeifolia
• Sida arrudiana
• Sida rugosa
• Sida grandior
• Sida crassa
• Sida bodinieri
• Sida chanetii
• Sida commixta
• Sida foliosa
• Sida malifolia
• Sida versatilis
• Sida martinicensis
• Sida martiusiana
• Sida parens
• Sida garckeana
• Sida carpinifolia f. antilliana
• Sida acuta var. madagascariensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malvales, specifically within the family Malvaceae. Ultimately, Sida acuta is identified by its genus, Sida.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple regions across the African continent and its surrounding islands. In Northern Africa, its presence is specifically documented within the borders of Egypt. The species also inhabits the Macaronesian region, occurring naturally in both the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. Moving toward West Tropical Africa, the plant can be found growing in the country of Benin. Finally, its range extends further inland to include the territory of Burkina Faso.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sida acuta is characterized by its broad adaptability across diverse landscapes, occupying an elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1400 m AMSL. This wide vertical distribution allows the species to colonize various environmental gradients, ranging from lowland tropical regions to mid-elevation terrains. While specific detailed habitat classifications are not provided, its ability to thrive across such a significant altitudinal span suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, enabling it to persist in a variety of disturbed or open environments within these elevation limits.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

-

Genetics

The genetics of Sida acuta are characterized by specific cytogenetic profiles that define its cellular structure and reproductive capacity. The plant exhibits varying chromosome numbers, with documented counts of 14, 18, and 28, reflecting a degree of chromosomal diversity within the species. Furthermore, its genetic makeup is primarily defined by a ploidy level of 2, indicating that the species typically functions as a diploid organism.

Chromosome number :

14, 18, 28

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Sida acuta is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist across multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form defined by having its perennating buds located close to the soil surface. This growth habit contributes to its resilience and ability to establish itself within its ecological niche.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sida acuta is characterized by a versatile growth form, functioning as both a shrub and a forb. It is a terrestrial plant that operates independently, lacking any parasitic tendencies. The plant exhibits a variable degree of woodiness and maintains an erect shoot orientation. In terms of stature, it is a self-supporting species that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine. Its height is quite flexible, ranging from a minimum of 0.25 m to a maximum of 2 m, with an average plant height of approximately 1.17 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1.16666666666667 m

Plant height min:

0.25 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

variable

Physiology

The physiology of Sida acuta is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. The plant exhibits a non-succulent morphology, lacking specialized water-storage tissues in its foliage. Its leaves are lanceolate in form, displaying significant morphological variation in size; they typically maintain a mean length of 3.5 cm, though they can range from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 10 cm. In terms of lateral dimension, the leaf width varies from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a mean of 0.7 cm, reaching a maximum width of 4.2 cm. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic capabilities to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms for its growth.

Leaf form :

lanceolate

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

3.5 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

4.2 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.7 cm

Leaf width min:

0.4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sida acuta is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and specialized fruit and seed morphology. The flowering period typically begins in March and concludes in May, though the timing can be variable throughout the year. The flowers are distinctively yellow in color, with dimensions ranging from a minimum length of 0.6 cm to a maximum of 0.8 cm, and a width that varies between 0.28 cm and 1.5 cm. Following pollination, the plant develops a schizocarp fruit type. These fruits are relatively small, with a mean length of 0.35 cm (ranging from a minimum of 0.1 cm to a maximum of 0.4 cm) and are characterized by being dehiscent. The resulting seeds are minute, possessing a mean mass of 0.002432 g (ranging from 0.00195 g to 0.0031 g). Morphologically, the seeds have a minimum length of 1.7 mm and a maximum of 2.7 mm, a minimum width of 1.3 mm and a maximum of 1.7 mm, and a height that ranges from 0.11 mm to 0.15 mm. Regarding dispersal, the species employs an unspecialized strategy that includes epizoochorous mechanisms, allowing seeds to be transported via attachment to animals.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

epizoochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower length max:

0.8 cm

Flower length min:

0.6 cm

Flower width max:

1.5 cm

Flower width min:

0.28 cm

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

May

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.35 cm

Fruit length min:

0.1 cm

Fruit type :

schizocarp

Seed height max:

0.15 mm

Seed height min:

0.11 mm

Seed length max:

2.7 mm

Seed length min:

1.7 mm

Seed mass max:

0.0031 g

Seed mass mean:

0.002432 g

Seed mass min:

0.00195 g

Seed width max:

1.7 mm

Seed width min:

1.3 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sida acuta has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Stem

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Chemicals

Sida acuta has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cryptolepine, 20-HYDROXYECDYSONE, (E)-Suberenol, 1,6-Dihydroxyxanthone, 3-Hydroxycinnamic acid.

Cryptolepine

1. Natural product research
2. Talanta
3. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

20-HYDROXYECDYSONE

1. Natural product research
2. Talanta

(E)-Suberenol

1. Natural product research

1,6-Dihydroxyxanthone

1. Natural product research

3-Hydroxycinnamic acid

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Cryptolepinone

1. Talanta

Ephedrine

1. Gene

METHYL GALLATE

1. Pharmaceutical biology

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Natural product research

RUTIN

1. Talanta

Activities

Sida acuta has 7 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antihypertensive, Antioxidant, Antiplasmodial, Antipyretic.

Antibacterial

1. Natural product research
2. Pharmaceutical biology

Antihypertensive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Natural product research

Antiplasmodial

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Antipyretic

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Antitumor

1. Natural product research

Diuretic

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Medicinal Uses

Sida acuta has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, Yersinia pestis, fever, inflammations, malaria.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations