''Sida hermaphrodita'', known by the common names Virginia fanpetals and Virginia mallow, is a perennial forb

native Native may refer to: People * Jus soli, citizenship by right of birth * Indigenous peoples, peoples with a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory ** Native Americans (disambiguation) In arts and entert ...

to the eastern United States, USDA, NRCS. 2014. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA. which produces white flowers in summer.

Description

The branching stem of ''Sida hermaphrodita'' is 1 to 4 meters tall, and up to 3 centimeters in diameter. The leaves are 10 to 20 centimeters long and borne on petioles. The leaves are simple, but palmately cleft into 3 to 7 lanceolate lobes. The flowers are borne in terminal clusters. Each flower has 5 petals, which are about a centimeter long. The fruit is a schizocarp that splits into segments when ripe.

Distribution and habitat

''Sida hermaphrodita'' has been recorded in Washington, D.C., Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the Canadian province of Ontario, although local distribution may be spotty. It is listed as an

endangered species An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and inv ...

by the states of Indiana, Maryland, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania, and as a species of special concern by Kentucky. In Virginia, ''Sida hermaphrodita'' grows in habitats such as sandy or rocky river shores. The presence of this species is dependent on appropriate habitat, and it may be eliminated from an area by development, changes in land use, or competition with

invasive species An invasive species otherwise known as an alien is an introduced organism that becomes overpopulated and harms its new environment. Although most introduced species are neutral or beneficial with respect to other species, invasive species ad ...

Taxonomy

Recent phylogenetic research confirms that ''Sida hermaphrodita'' is not particularly closely related to other members of the genus Sida. Over the years, it has been suggested that this species might be closer related to the monotypic genus '' Napaea'', or to ''Sidasodes'', a genus of two species native to the Andes, however, further research has not supported either of these relationships. Virginia mallow has since been formally treated as a monotypic, isolated, temperate, North American genus, ''Ripariosida hermaphrodita'' Weakley & D. B. Poind., named for its historic preference for inundated stream-beds.

In cultivation

In Poland, ''Sida hermaphrodita'' is grown for its fiber, as a source of

fodder Fodder (), also called provender (), is any agriculture, agricultural foodstuff used specifically to feed domesticated livestock, such as cattle, domestic rabbit, rabbits, sheep, horses, chickens and pigs. "Fodder" refers particularly to food g ...

for livestock, and as a source of nectar for

beekeeping Beekeeping (or apiculture) is the maintenance of bee colonies, commonly in man-made beehives. Honey bees in the genus '' Apis'' are the most-commonly-kept species but other honey-producing bees such as ''Melipona'' stingless bees are also kept. ...

. It is currently being investigated as a source of

biomass Biomass is plant-based material used as a fuel for heat or electricity production. It can be in the form of wood, wood residues, energy crops, agricultural residues, and waste from industry, farms, and households. Some people use the terms bi ...

for alternative energy production purposes. The results of trials in Northern Europe have demonstrated high yields, ranging from , annually, showing good properties as a feedstock for energy pellets

References

{{Authority control hermaphrodita Flora of the United States Flora of Canada