Three-lobed False-Mallow
Malvastrum coromandelianum
Plants about a meter tall growing in a sunny area at Nairobi National Museum grounds, Kenya, Africa. April 2011. Identification was provided by Steven Hill.
SHRUBBY: There are many species of Malvaceae found in Kenya. This one is naturalized from its original home in tropical America.
Severak herbaceous stems from a woody lower portion and about a meter
tall.
FLOWERS: Yellow. Mallow flowers are easy to recognize. There are five
distinct petals and five sepals. Numerous stamens arise from a fleshy column
derived from the fuzed filaments.Below the sepals are five, smaller bracts which distinguish this genus from Sida.
LEAVES: Elyptic leaves are sharply serrated along the margins.
RANGE: A native of South and Central America, this weedy plant now has a pantropical distribution. Perhaps its seeds were carried along in the soil with desirable crop plants like cassava and avocado.
FRUIT: The dryish capsule is clearly segmented.
UNARMED. Without spines but the hairs on leaves and stems are course
and unpleasant to the touch.
A Pea Blue butterfly was in attendence at the open flowers taking nectar.