Walis-walisan
Sida acuta · Common wireweed
- Names in the book
- Wawalisan, Eskobag̃haba, Pamalis, Higot-balato, Mamalis, Tag., Vis., Pam.
- Colours
- floweryellow
- Native range
- Central America; now pantropical
- In the Philippines, per the book
- Common in Luzon, Panay, Mindanao, Paragua, Cebú and Balabac.
- Family
- Malvaceae, filed in the book under Malvaceæ
- Printed as
- Sida carpinifolia, L. (S. acuta, Burm.; S. stipulata, Cav.; S. frutescens, Blanco.)
- Sources
- Page 42 on Project Gutenberg · Wikipedia
The plant today
Sida acuta, the common wireweed, is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is believed to have originated in Central America, but today has a pantropical distribution and is considered a weed in some areas. In India, the indigenous people of Garo Hills in Meghalaya use this plant to make brooms. In northern Australia, Sida acuta is considered an invasive species, and the beetle Calligrapha pantherina has been introduced as a biological control agent in an attempt to control the plant.
Excerpt from “Sida acuta” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Recorded in the Philippines
GBIF holds 128 records of this plant from the Philippines. The ones with map coordinates fall in 19 provinces, most often Zamboanga del Norte (14), Zamboanga del Sur (7), Batangas (4), Bataan (3), Laguna (2), Palawan (2), Romblon (2), Samar (2), and 11 more.
Counts from GBIF occurrence records, October 2026. They include planted trees and garden plants, and a province with no records may only lack collectors.
What the 1901 book says
A historical record, quoted as printed. Doses and remedies here are not medical advice.
Uses
The root is emollient and bitter. The decoction is used as a lotion for ulcers, and internally as a sudorific and tonic-astringent. The physicians of India prescribe the powdered root with milk for fevers and for nervous and urinary diseases. The leaves are used locally in ophthalmia.
The juice of the root is employed as a wash for all kinds of sores and ulcers and the juice of the entire plant is given for spermatorrhœa. After experimenting with the root, the compilers of the Bengal Dispensatory announced their uncertainty as to whether or not it possessed antipyretic properties; however, they pronounce it diaphoretic, an exciter of the appetite and an excellent bitter tonic. In Goa the Portuguese consider it diuretic and use it especially in rheumatic affections.
The root of S. carpinifolia gives a blue color with the salts of iron. It does not precipitate gelatin and contains asparagin.
Botanical description
A plant 2–4° high with woody, branching stem, leaves alternate, oblong, pointed, serrate, under surface neither hoary nor tomentose as in some other species of Sida. Petioles very short, curved near the leaf, 2 stipules near the base. Flowers axillary, solitary. Calyx simple, in 5 parts. Corolla, 5 petals notched obliquely. Stamens numerous, inserted on the end of a column. Anthers globose. Styles 5, mingled with the stamens. Stigmas globose. Cells of the same number as the styles, verticillate, with solitary seeds.
Recent research
The most cited papers since 2022 that name this plant in the title, pulled from Europe PMC in October 2026. Titles are the authors' own and the findings have not been reviewed here.
- Ameliorative effects of Sida acuta and vitamin C on serum DNA damage, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in roosters fed aflatoxin B1 contaminated diets
- Chemical constituents of two Cameroonian medicinal plants: Sida rhombifolia L. and Sida acuta Burm. f. (Malvaceae) and their antiplasmodial activity
- Anti-Proteus Activity, Anti-Struvite Crystal, and Phytochemical Analysis of Sida acuta Burm. F. Ethanolic Leaf Extract