Sida (genus)

:"For the cladoceran (water flea) genus, see "Sida (crustacean)". "Sida" is also a Nigerian name for Gabon Nut ("Coula edulis").taxobox
name = "Sida"


image_caption = "ʻIlima" ("Sida fallax")
regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Eudicots
unranked_ordo = Rosids
ordo = Malvales
familia = Malvaceae
genus = "Sida"
genus_authority = L.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = Over 100, see text|

"Sida" is a genus of of herbs or subshrubs in the Mallow family (Malvaceae). It contains 125 to 150 species, or even some 200 according to other authoritiesFact|date=November 2007. These plants are of worldwide distribution, mostly found in the tropics and subtropics, although some species extend into temperate regions.

The name "Sida" was adopted by Carolus Linnaeus from the writings of Theophrastus, who used it for "Nymphaea alba".

Arrowleaf Sida ("S. rhombifolia") supposedly has edible leaves. Country Mallow ("S. cordifolia") contains ephedrine and is of some commercial importance for use in ayurvedic medicine. Members of this genus are occasionally planted to attract butterflies; Country Mallow and "S. acuta" are for example popular with the Crimson Rose ("Atrophaneura hector").

"Sida" species are also used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera. These include Lemon Pansy ("Junonia lemonias"), Great Eggfly ("Hypolimnas bolina") and Indian Grizzled Skipper ("Spialia galba") which have all been found on Arrowleaf Sida, and "Chionodes mariona".

The Sida golden mosaic virus and Sida golden yellow vein virus have been first isolated from "Sida" species; the former specifically from "Sida santaremensis"

Selected species

* "Sida acuta" – common wireweed
* "Sida antillensis"
* "Sida cardiophylla" (Benth.) F.Muell.
* "Sida carpinifolia"
* "Sida ciliaris"
* "Sida cleisocalyx" F.Muell.
* "Sida clementii" Domin
* "Sida cordifolia" – Country Mallow, "bala", "‘ilima"
* "Sida cryphiopetala" F.Muell.
* "Sida echinocarpa" F.Muell.
* "Sida fallax" – yellow "ʻilima"
* "Sida intricata" F.Muell.
* "Sida kingii" F.Muell.
* "Sida hermaphrodita" – Virginia Mallow
* "Sida nesogena"
* "Sida phaeotricha" F.Muell.
* "Sida physocalyx" F.Muell.
* "Sida santaremensis"
* "Sida spenceriana" F.Muell.
* "Sida pusilla"
* "Sida rhombifolia" – Arrow-leafed Sida, Jelly Leaf, Paddy's Lucerne, Cuban Jute, Queensland Hemp, "Indian Hemp"
* "Sida trichopoda" F.Muell.
* "Sida troyana"

Formerly placed here

* Indian Abutilon, "Abutilon indicum" (as "Sida indica")