# Common Fanpetals

*Sida ulmifolia*

The stems are incredibly fibrous and strong; in many cultures, they are bundled together to create durable outdoor brooms.

- **Taxonomy:** Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Malvales › Malvaceae › Sida
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** stable
- **Biome:** grassland
- **Habitat:** Disturbed areas, roadsides, pastures, and open grasslands.
- **Diet:** Autotroph (Photosynthesis)
- **Range:** Central America, South America, Caribbean, Southern United States, Tropical Africa, Southeast Asia
- **Size:** 0.5 to 1.5 meters in height
- **Lifespan:** 2-5 years (Perennial)
- **Active:** diurnal
- **Threats:** Widespread use of non-selective herbicides and intensive monoculture farming.
- **Safe to approach?:** Harmless. This plant is non-toxic and often used in traditional crafts. If found in urban areas, avoid ingestion due to potential soil contaminants or pesticides.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/0c8c2e81-c960-4f65-b953-b2b3be31c00c
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/131597

- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/22948660/medium.jpg (stinger, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.