Sida rhombifolia
Sida, rhombus-leaved sida, Rhombus-Leaved Sida
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Family: Malvaceae · Type: Subshrub · Not Native
Sida rhombifolia (Sida) is a non-native California subshrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by key differences are life cycle (perennial vs annual), leaf size, and style number.
Sida is a naturalized perennial found in the Great Valley in disturbed places and fields at elevations generally below 300 meters. Flowering from August to October, this plant produces pale yellow to white flowers approximately 7 to 9 millimeters long, emerging individually in leaf axils. Growing with stiff, straight stems 30 to 100 centimeters tall and ascending branches, it has a distinctive stellate-puberulent appearance. Its leaves are 2.5 to 9 centimeters long, toothed especially in the upper half, with surfaces much paler underneath and generally glabrous on top. The fruit is a small, round capsule approximately 4 to 5 millimeters in diameter.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key differences are life cycle (perennial vs annual), leaf size, and style number
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed places, fields
Elevation: generally < 300 m
Outside California: native to tropics
Bloom period
Sida rhombifolia blooms Aug-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Malva: Sida flowers have no epicalyx of bractlets below the calyx; Malva bears 3 small bractlets subtending each flower.; vs Malvella: Sida stands erect on stiff straight stems with leaves toothed only in the upper half; Malvella is prostrate and densely white-stellate with hastate-triangular leaves.; vs Abutilon: Sida mericarps hold a single seed and split cleanly; Abutilon mericarps are larger, inflated, and hold 2 or more seeds.; vs Anoda: Sida mericarps form a compact ring lacking long spines; Anoda mericarps radiate in a flat star, each tipped with a spreading horizontal spine.; vs Sidalcea: Sida has small yellowish flowers borne singly in leaf axils; Sidalcea bears showy pink flowers in elongate terminal racemes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sida rhombifolia native to California?
No. Sida rhombifolia is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Sida rhombifolia bloom?
Sida rhombifolia blooms Aug-Oct.
What plant family does Sida rhombifolia belong to?
Sida rhombifolia is in the Malvaceae family, genus Sida.
What habitat does Sida rhombifolia grow in?
Sida rhombifolia grows in Uncommon. Disturbed places, fields.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.