Botanical name: Sida rhombifolia    Family: Malvaceae (Mallow family)

Rhombic-Leaf Sida is a weed very common in India and Sri Lanka in the dry country. A summer annual with yellow flowers and very small spines at the base of each leaf and branch. This plant most often occurs as a weed of peanuts, cotton, and soybeans. Leaves are arranged alternately along the stem, approximately 1-4.5 x 0.6-2 cm, with stalks that are less than 1/3 the length of the leaves. Leaves are widest at or above the middle and taper toward the leaf bases (rhombic) The upper half of the leaves have toothed or serrated margins while the remainder of the leaves are untoothed. Flowers occur singly on flower stalks 1-2.5 cm. Flowers consist of 5 yellow petals that are 4 to 8 mm long. The seedlings with 2 heart-shaped cotyledons, the small spines that occur at the base of each leaf petiole, and the 'rhombic' leaves are all characteristics that help in the identification of Rhombic-Leaf Sida.
Medicinal uses: Rhombic-Leaf Sida has significant medicinal applications for which it is cultivated throughout India. The pounded leaves are used to relieve swelling, the fruits are used to relieve headache, the mucilage is used as an emollient. Its root is used as an anticrotalic, a serum is prepared against the venom of rattlesnakes and black widow spiders.

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The flower labeled Rhombic-Leaf Sida is ...