Common Name: Virginia Mallow

General Information

Sida hermaphrodita is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of erect stems usually from 1 - 2.5 metres tall, occasionlly reaching 5 metres[].
A very robust perennial plant, it is receiving increasing interest (as of 2017) as a biomass crop and is also often grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Eastern N. America - Michigan and Ontario to Pennsylvania, south to Kentucky and Virginia

Habitat

Along streams, roadsides, railroad embankments, disturbed sites; at elevations from 50 - 200 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Sida hermaphroditica is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°c when fully dormant[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Sida hermaphrodita is easily cultivated as a crop, and is able to produce a considerable amount of biomass. It is being trialled (2017) as a potential source of material for biogas production and as a basic compound for various materials, such as fibre products or particle boards. Because it is a perennial, it requires much less work after its first year of establishment than the commonly grown annual crops such as maize (Zea species).[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -