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Sida (fallax)

Kim Martz and Forest Starr
Biologists
USDI USFWS - Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge,1082 Makepono St.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
http://www.ggnpa.org

Family Scientific Name: Malvaceae
Family Common Name: Hibiscus Family
Scientific Name: Sida fallax Walp.
Common Name: 'Ilima
Species Code: SIDFAL
General Distribution: Indigenous to Hawai'i. Widespread on Pacific islands to China. In
Hawai'i, occurring on rocky or sandy coasts or raised limestone reefs, also open arid lava
fields and dry forest to diverse mesic forest and rarely low elevation wet forest, 0-1,980
m, on Midway Atoll, Nihoa and on all of the main islands.This plant has not been seen in recent
surveys on Midway.
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: 3.5 in containerized seedling
Time To Grow: 1 Years
Target Specifications: Height: N/A<br> Caliper: N/A<br> Root System: Firm root plug in container.<br>
Propagule Collection: This plant is no longer found on Midway Atoll, but is relatively
abundant on the main islands. Material for propagation would have to be secured from
any of the main islands.
Mature fruit a schizocarp 2.5-4 mm long,
splitting at maturity into 6-9 beaked segments.
Collect ripe or mature seeds from plants and place in zip-lock or plastic
bags. Collect only what you need. Collect from plants that have a large enough seed
source so that the habitat will not suffer from the collection. Seeds should be cleaned
before they are sown.
Propagule Processing: To prepare dry seeds leave seeds out or in a paper bag at room temperature to dry. Then, set a strainer over a bowl.Empty seed material into the strainer and gently rub so that the seeds fall through thestrainer and the debris is left. Discard the debris.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Seeds are soaked overnight in water.
Sowing Method:
Once seeds are ready to be sown, prepare seed tray or pots with well
drained potting mix. Seeds can be sown in pots or trays. Seed trays are preferred
because they will allow for proper development of roots and easy up-potting. Wet down
tray before sowing. Sow seeds evenly on tray or pots. A general rule of seed sowing is
to sow them as deep, or up to 3 times as deep, as seed diameter. Water well
and evenly.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
The nursery's irrigation system is comprised of sprinkler heads which are
manually operated. The sprinklers are misters and should be maintained so that they flow
freely. Potted plants are watered daily, either in the morning or the evening.

Potting media is Sunshine Mix potting soil, and is used in a 2 to 1 or 3 to 1 (v:v) potting soil to sand ratio.

Diseases and insects are controlled by removing them manually off plants, sticky traps or using a solution of soapy water.
Be sure to rinse soapy solution off plants after a few hours. Row covers physically prevent insects and birds from landing on plants.
Establishment Phase: seeds germinate easily and rapidly.
Transplanting seedlings: Seedlings will be ready to up-pot from trays when they have at
least 2 sets of mature leaves. Use a pencil or your fingers to gently pry each seedling
apart from others, try to touch or injure roots as little as possible. Arrange clean 3 « "
pots in tray, 25 pots will fit in a tray. Currently, there are a few potting trays and some 3
« " pots, it is suggested that more be purchased and used in the future. This system
allows for quick and efficient growth of plants and ease of moving large amounts of
plants to out-planting sites. Fill pots with well drained potting mix about 1/3 full.
Length of Establishment Phase: 2 months
Length of Active Growth Phase: 8 to 10 months
References: Bornhorst, H. L. 1996. Growing native Hawaiian plants, a how-to guide for the
gardener. The Bess Press, Inc., Hong Kong.
Bruegmann, M. M. 1998. Report on a botanical survey of Midway Atoll, April 1-7,
1995. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Christophersen, E. and E. L. Caum. 1931. Vascular Plants of the Leeward Island.
Hawai'i. Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 81, Tanager Expedition Publication
Number 7, Honolulu.
Lilleeng-Rosenberger, K. date unknown. Propagation techniques for native Hawaiian
plants. National Tropical Botanical Garden.
Morin, M. and S. Conant. 1998. Laysan Island ecosystem restoration plan. University
of Hawai'i.
Neal, M. C. 1965. In gardens of Hawai'i. Bishop Museum Press, special publication 50,
Honolulu.
Wagner, W. L., D. R. Herbst, S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of
Hawai'i, 2 vols. Bishop Museum Special Publication 83, Honolulu.
Whistler, W. A. 1992. Flowers of the Pacific island seashore. University of Hawai'i
Press, Honolulu.

Citation:

Martz, Kim; Starr, Forest. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Sida fallax Walp. plants 3.5 in containerized seedling; USDI USFWS - Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Honolulu, Hawaii. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/11/22). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.