36- Douradinha - Waltheria communis A.St.-Hil. (Malvaceae)

 

Herbaceous, perennial plant, with a prostrate stem, very branched, green and rust color, rough. Simple, alternate leaves, with short petiole, oval shape with a rounded apex, grayish on both sides and with wavy, serrated margins. Inflorescences in the tip of the branches and in the axils of the last leaves, of the globose ear type. Gold-yellow flowers with 5 petals also welded. Dried fruit of the capsule type, surrounded by the persistent chalice.

 

Distribution: Central-West, Northeast, Southeast and South of Brazil, in a cerrado, open field, with ruderal behavior.

Situation in São Paulo: It appears spontaneously in crops and in vacant lots and roadsides, being an indicator of ancient fragments of cerrado.

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How to plant:

 

Uses: Very beautiful due to its peculiar color and moderate size, it could be used in landscaping, undergoing regular pruning to remain lush. Plants very resistant to drought and even burning, regrowth even if completely cut.

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LORENZI, H. DANINE PLANTS IN BRAZIL: TERRESTRIAL, AQUATIC, PARASITE AND TOXIC. PLANTARUM INSTITUTE. NOVA ODESSA, SP, 4th ED. 2008. 672P. IL.

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MOREIRA, HJC; BRAGANÇA, HBN MANUAL OF IDENTIFICATION OF INFESTING PLANTS - HORTIFRUTI. SÃO PAULO: FMC AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS, 2011.