Spiked sida

Perennial sub-shrub, variously hairy including star-shaped hairs, stems usually woody-based and strongly fibrous above. Spreading, densely hairy to 1.5m but usually shorter. Previously Sida subspicata.

Weed Category:	Other invasive plants Invasive plants that are not prohibited or restricted invasive plants, but are known to spread readily and cause negative impacts, within the region.
Weed:	Yes
Form or habit:	Shrub
Family:	Malvaceae
Leaf:	Simple Alternate Alternate simple, margins serrately toothed. Stipules present. Ovate to oblong, 20-100 x 5-40mm, grey-green, densely covered with fine matted star hairs on both surfaces, denser and paler on the underside; stipules linear.
Flower conspicuous:	Inconspicuous
Flower colour:	Yellow, Orange
Flower description:	Tiny, yellow to orange, in clusters of 2-3, borne along irregular terminal spikes.
Fruit conspicuous:	Inconspicuous
Fruit colour:	Brown
Fruit:	Dry
Fruit description:	Dry round brownish and radially separating into 1-seeded, wedge-shaped segments, with or without 2 fine bristles or points depending on species. Around 4-6mm diameter, separating into 4-5 segments with rounded apex, initially finely hairy, becoming glabrous with age. Calyx 5-lobed, persistent, 2.5-4mm long, woolly hairy with sharp pointed lobes.
Habitat:
Distribution
Food source for:
Toxicity:	No toxicity known
Origin:	Local native
Notes:	Spread by: segments spread by water, farm machinery, stock and in contaminated feed or seed. Bristly segments also adhere to clothing and animals. Invades/threats: pastures, open forests and disturbed areas along roadsides, headlands and stock camps. Notes: local native that appears to be more common on off-shore islands and in drier areas. It prefers lighter soils. It may invade newly planted improved pastures but is rarely eaten by cattle. Environmental weed.
Information sources:	Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition.