‘Ilima

Sida cordifolia

Native to:
Angola, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Caprivi Strip, Cayman Is., Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Ghana, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., Guyana, Hainan, Haiti, Honduras, Howland-Baker Is., India, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Laos, Leeward Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaya, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Guinea, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, South China Sea, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Sumatera, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad-Tobago, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Uganda, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Venezuelan Antilles, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Windward Is., Za

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Malvaceae
Genus:
Sida
Species:
Sida cordifolia
USDA Symbol:
SICO

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Annual | Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb , Shrub , Subshrub
Height:
150 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
Bloom Colors:
yellow, orange

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★★★☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

cotton tipworm (Crocidosema plebejana)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
thrives in disturbed areas with poor soil