Fan-petals
Sida acuta (?)
Plants about a meter tall growing in a sunny area at Nairobi National Museum grounds, Kenya, Africa. April 2011.
SHRUBBY: There are many species of Sida. This one was mostly
herbaceous with a number of stems or plants growing together 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.
LEAVES: Elyptic leaves are sharply serrated along the margins.
RANGE: One or more species of Sida are likely to be found in
most areas of Kenya except for very dry deserts. There are both native Kenyan
and introduced (weed) species.
FRUIT: The dryish capsule breaks smoothly into eight or so segments.
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.