Sida rhombifolia L.

Cuban Jute; Arrowleaf Sida

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Cuban Jute is an introduced annual or slightly woody perennial in the Mallow family (Malvaceae). It is a widespread weed in temperate and tropical areas that is apparently native to the Old World. In Alabama it occurs nearly statewide. Cuban Jute grows on roadsides, in fields, along railroads, in vacant lots, and in disturbed woodlands. It grows to a height of 3 feet, becoming somewhat woody at the base. The stems are freely branched and stellate pubescent. Young stems are green in color; older stems are grayish. Leaves are petiolate, alternate, rhombic in outline, with toothed margins. The leaves are stellate pubescent below. Flowers are solitary in the axils of the leaves. The peduncles are longer than the petioles of the subtending leaf. There are 5 sepals, each with a prominent ridge down their center. The 5 petals are creamy-orange to yellow in color. The fruit is a schizocarp that splits into 7-15 one-seeded mericarps. The stems of Cuban Jute are very fibrous and have been harvested for cordage, woven into rough sacks, and used for making brooms. Portions of the plant have also been used in herbal medicine. Cuban Jute can also be a serious weed. It is difficult to eradicate once well established. The tough fibrous stems make mechanical control difficult.--A. Diamond

**

Native FACU (NWPL)

**