Family: Malvaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Broad latitudinal and elevation range
- Grows and spreads in regions with tropical climates
- Naturalized on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, Kahoolawe (Hawaiian Islands) and elsewhere
- A weed of disturbed, or otherwise human-modified habitats, lawns, and roadsides
- Other Sida species are invasive weeds
- Reproduces by seeds
- Able to reach maturity in one growing season
- Seeds dispersed as a contaminant of equipment, potentially other items, by lizards (Galapagos), possibly by birds, and intentionally cultivated by people in some locations
Low Risk Traits:
- Despite common occurrence as a disturbance weed, negative impacts are generally not reported
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Palatable to browsing and grazing animals
- Non-toxic
- Occurs in high light environments (dense shade may inhibit establishment or spread)
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Herbicides may provide effective control
- Killed by fire (recruits from seed bank)