Scientific Family
Malvaceae
Synonyms
Sida physocalyx
Other common names
tuberous sida
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
Up to 3 feet
Riparian
Yes
Large tuber-like taproot; stems trailing to ascending, with scattered coarse star-shpaed hairs, solitary yellowish-orange flowers.
Stems trail along the ground; toothed leaves symmetric at their base; sparse star-shaped hairs all over; yellowish-orange petals have a narrow base; sepals greatly enlarged in fruit, forming an inflated lantern that encloses the much smaller fruit.
Habitat
In canyons and along waterways in rich soils.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
2500
High elevation
5000
Flower Characteristics
Solitary flowers in stem axils; 5 petals overlapping, heart-shaped (calyx lobes broadly cordate) and strongly angled basally.
Flower color
Yellowish-orange
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Coarsely hairy, stemmed leaves, broad at the base coming to a point with toothed edges, 1 to 2 inches long. Stems trailing or erect, covered with coarse hairs.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
1/2 inch diameter, dry, hairless lantern-shaped with ridges that open upon maturity, contains a light green wheel-like segmented fruit within, with up to 11 segments.
Fruit type
Other
Fruit color
Blackish
Each segment contains a solitary 1/16 inch slightly hairy seed.