long-stalk sida

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• long-stalk sida
• Long-stalked Sida

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sida veronicifolia var. humilis
• Melochia cordata
• Sida retxii
• Sida veronicifolia
• Sida unilocularis
• Sida mathewsii
• Sida beddomei
• Sida radicans
• Sida multicaulis
• Sida morifolia
• Sida humilis
• Sida cordata var. nasirii
• Sida reclinans
• Lamarkia morifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the specific genus Sida.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad and diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple continents and island groups. In Northeast Tropical Africa, it is specifically documented to grow on the island of Socotra. Its presence extends across the Western Indian Ocean, where it can be found on both Mauritius and Réunion. Within the Arabian Peninsula, the species is located in the nation of Oman. Finally, its range reaches as far east as China South-Central.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sida cordata is fundamentally defined by its specific altitudinal distribution, as it is strictly confined to high-altitude environments. This species occupies a highly specialized niche within its habitat, characterized by an elevational range that begins and ends at a singular threshold. Specifically, the plant is found at an elevation of 2440 m AMSL, which serves as both its minimum and maximum elevational limit. Because its elevational range is concentrated entirely at this peak value, the mean elevation for the species is also recorded at 2440 m AMSL, indicating a highly localized ecological requirement for these specific high-altitude montane conditions.

Elevational range max:

2440 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

400 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Sida cordata is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a perennial herb, it maintains a long-term presence in its habitat, often establishing a robust root system that allows it to survive seasonal changes and regrow during favorable environmental conditions. While its growth patterns can exhibit variability depending on the specific ecological niche and available resources, its fundamental biological strategy is built upon long-term survival and repeated reproductive cycles throughout its lifespan.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sida cordata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, typically reaching an average plant height of 1 m. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, as it maintains a strictly terrestrial habit. In terms of its structural support, the plant is self-supporting, meaning it does not require external structures like a liana or vine to maintain its upright position.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sida cordata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The vegetative development of the plant is reflected in its foliar morphology, where leaf length exhibits significant variability, ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 5 cm, with an average leaf length of approximately 3 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nitrogen sources rather than symbiotic diazotrophic processes to support its nutritional requirements.

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length mean:

3 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Sida cordata has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 20-HYDROXYECDYSONE, Anthraquinones, Cardiac Glycosides, Coumarins, Cryptolepine.

20-HYDROXYECDYSONE

1. Talanta

Anthraquinones

1. BioMed research international

Cardiac Glycosides

1. BioMed research international

Coumarins

1. BioMed research international

Cryptolepine

1. Talanta

Cryptolepinone

1. Talanta

Flavonoids

1. BioMed research international

RUTIN

1. Talanta

Saponins

1. BioMed research international

Tannins

1. BioMed research international

Medicinal Uses

Sida cordata has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Leishmaniasis, diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, skin diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations