Sida alnifolia

sida rhombiifolia: it is growing profusely, unlike the other sidas
at my place in alibaug
has been flower for the past couple of weeks
the flowers are about 15mm
these are two different plants

This is Sida retusa.

Flower ID request – RK1 – 10-Oct-2012:
I would like to know the identification of this herb clicked in Karjat area. I hope I am abiding by the rules of this group, please correct me in case of mistakes.

This is Sida retusa. Please check the archives of this group for my photographs of this.

Thanks a lot for the quick identification. I checked the archives and found one thread with your photos of this plant and it looks identical.
But I am slightly confused because I got a private reply from … (pasted below) and he identified the first photo as Sida acuta and the last photo as Sida rhombifolia. I am sure that all the photos I have clicked are of one plant only.

I am also of the opinion that all pics do not belong to same plant they of course have resemblance…but the first image rk_for-id_001_1.jpg and third picture rk_for-id_001_3.jpg are of same plant, rest are distinct..

I agree with … id: Sida retusa (the accepted name, however, is Sida alnifolia). As assured by .., I think all the pictures are of the same plant, too (due to similar stem color, indumentum, and the lower typically-retuse leaves can be seen in the backdrop of the first picture). A picture of whole plant may be helpful.
It is not uncommon to see variations in leaf shape and size even in the same plant here. The upper younger leaves usually narrower with pointed tips whereas the lower leaves characteristically broad and wedge-shaped or triangular with retuse / notched tip. This is clearly seen in one of … pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dinesh_valke/7980262837/ Pl also see: efi thread

Many thanks for posting this interesting plant. This is the beauty of the group. If there is one reply there might be another with reasoning to it ultimately helping the ID of plants where often the flower looks same in a genus but species may be different. The leaves are characteristic here which helps in ID.

Thanks a million … & … for your responses. I’m certain that the photographs are from one plant only. Thanks again for your explanation about the varitiaon in leaf shape. I have attached one more photo where both kinds of leaves are seen.

Thanks … for sharing yet another ‘character photograph’! It speaks for itself…

Sending one more photograph of mine.

Sida rhomboidea Roxb. ex Fleming !!