Sida alba L., Sp. Pl. ed. 2. 966 . 1763. S. alnifolia L. var. obovata Hu, Fl. China, fam 153. 22, t. 16 f. 5 . 1955, non S. rhombifolia L. var. obovate Wallich ex Masters in Fl. Brit. India 1: 324. 1874.

Undershrubs or herbs, up to 1 m high, stellate-pubescent. Leaves 1 - 2.5 x 0.5 - 2 cm, elliptic-obovate, cuneate or obtuse at base, acute at apex, crenate-serrate, glabres- cent above, minutely stellate-pubescent beneath; petioles 0.5 - 1 cm long; stipules ca 5 nun long, filiform. Flowers axillary, solitary or paired; pedicels 3 - 6 mm long, fruiting pedicel 1 - 2 cm long. Calyx 3 - 5 mm across, campanulate, free above the middle, lobes 2 - 4 x 1 - 2 mm, deltoid, acute. Corolla yellow slightly exceeding the calyx. Schizocarps 4 - 5 mm across, depressed globose; mericarps 5, ca 2 x 15 mm, stellate-pubescent, with 2 convergent apical awns; awns ca 0.8 mm long, hairy, mericarps dehiscing at base. Seeds ca 1.5 mm long, glabrous, brownish black.

Fl. & Fr. Sept. - Dec.

Distrib. India: Throughout.

Pakistan.