Sida fibulifera

Sida fibulifera, the silver sida or pin sida, is a low-growing perennial herb or weak subshrub of the Malvaceae native to the arid and semi-arid interior of Australia. Plants form spreading mats or low cushions 10-30 cm tall, with much-branched, slender stems that are densely clothed in silvery-grey stellate hairs giving the entire plant a soft, hoary appearance. The small, alternate, broadly ovate to almost circular leaves are 5-15 mm long, with crenate margins, short petioles, and persistent narrow stipules. Solitary flowers about 8-12 mm across are borne on short axillary peduncles; the five pale yellow to creamy-white obovate petals are slightly notched, surrounding a typical Malvaceae staminal column. The fruit is a small schizocarp splitting into five to eight wedge-shaped mericarps, each bearing two short slender awns at the apex. The species thrives on stony plains, sandy floodouts, gibber flats, and disturbed roadsides across central and northern Australia.