MALVACEAE. 

 Sida, Linn. 



Sida carpinifolia, Linn. ; PL Trop. Afr. I. p. 180. 



Ill.—Cav. Diss. t. 134 ; Tidal, Fl. For. Filip. t. 16 A ; St. Hil. 

 PI. us. Bres. t. 50. 



Vernac. name. — Oshekpotufunfua (Yoruba, Millson). 



Yoruba. 



The stem yields an excellent fibre suitable for making rope 

 (Mus. Kew). In Yoruba the bruised stems are used as soap, and 

 the plant is also used in cases of gonorrhoea, applied both 

 internally and externally (Kew Bull. 1891, p. 213). 



The roots are used in native medicine (Moloney, For. W. Afr. 

 p. 280). 



Sida rhombifolia, Linn. ; Fl. Trop. Afr. I. p. 181. 



III. — Cav. Diss. t. 3, f. 4 (S. retusa) ; Bailey, Poison. PI. p. 5 ; 

 Mart, FL Bras. xii. pt. 3, t, 63 ; Agric. Gaz/N. S. Wales, 1894, 

 p. 537 ; 111. Hort. Ser. 6, iii. 1896, p. 173, f. 19. 



Vernac. names. — Den ji (Nyasaland, McClounie) ; Escoba 

 (Venezuela). — Sida Hemp ; Paddy's Lucerne ; Queensland Hemp ; 

 Tea Plant (U.S. Amer.). 



Widely distributed in Tropical Africa and in the Tropics of the 

 Old and New Worlds. 



The fibre is considered superior to Jute (Corcliorns capsularis), 

 and it has also been suggested as a substitute for Flax {Linum 

 usitatissimum) (Diet, Econ. Prod. Ind.). The percentage of cellu- 

 lose is relatively high, the best samples having been found to 

 contain as much as 83 per cent. For spinning purposes it has 

 been valued at £12 and upwards per ton, according to quality 

 (Bull. Imp. Inst, 1905, p. 25). The method of preparation may 

 be regarded as being much the same as that for Jute (q.v.). It 

 has been found that the ribbons are easily detached from the 

 woody stem, and after 14 days immersion in standing water, the 

 fibre is readily separated from the pulp (McClounie, Mus. Kew). 



The plant is regarded as good fodder for cattle, sheep, and hogs. 

 Horses do not seem to relish it much, but cattle appear to thrive 

 on it (Dodge, Cat, Fib. PL p. 298). On the Congo it is used as 

 forage for horses and cows (De Wildeman, PL Util. Congo 

 Art. xxxi. p. 548). It is said to be detrimental to young fowls, 

 bul in nowise hurtful to stock (Bailey, Pois. PL p. 5). 



The mucilaginous stems are used in India as a demulcent and 

 as an emollient (Diet, Econ. Prod. Ind.). 



The cultivation would in all probability be easy, since the plant 

 is so widely distiibuted. The plant is a perennial, but it could be 

 grown as an annual. Seeds germinate, if sown when fresh, in 

 about 10 15 days. For the production of fibre they may be sown 

 broadcast, and it is advisable to sow thickly to prevent branch- 

 ing near the base of the stem. McClounie (Zomba) records an 

 exceptional growth of 8-9 feet in a year, from seedlings, but the 



