Malvaceae
Sida acuta
Common Wireweed
S
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This erect annual or perennial shrub typically grows to 1-1.5 metres, sometimes reaching 3 metres, with fibrous to woody stems and a deep taproot. It features lance-shaped leaves, 2-9 cm long, with serrated edges and pointed tips, often lighter green. Small, solitary or paired yellow flowers appear in the leaf axils, leading to fruits comprising 5-8 segments, each with two awns.
Where it works in Kilifi
This robust indigenous shrub thrives in full sun and well-drained loamy soils along the Kilifi coast, making it suitable for stabilising disturbed areas or as a tough, fast-growing groundcover in informal landscapes. Its vigorous nature means it should be placed where its spread can be managed, or used for habitat restoration rather than confined garden beds.
Growing notes
It is a fast-growing shrub that, once established, is drought-tolerant and requires moderate watering, allowing the soil to dry between sessions. Its prolific seed production and ability to resprout after cutting require mindful management to prevent it from becoming overly dominant in mixed plantings.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: earthone.io, wikipedia.org, plantpono.org, ufl.edu, levypreserve.org, efloraofindia.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.