Melochia corchorifolia

Can be mistaken for Malvastrum coromandelianum but is slender and wandlike, and not as freely branched. The leaves of Melochia corchorifolia are glaborous (not hairy) while those of Malvastrum coromandelianum have simple hairs on their upper surface. The flowers of Melochia corchorifolia are tiny and are borne in dense axillary glomerules while those of Malvastrum coromandelianum are axillary but are larger and borne on peduncles.

Seeds average approximately 130,000/lb.

Found in old fields, cultivated grounds, and waste places throughout south Louisiana and southeast Texas, rarely in some parts of north Louisiana. It is an early succession species often common in restorations the first year after planting. A native of the Old World tropics now found from Florida to Texas and north to South Carolina.

Old fields and cultivated grounds; sandy fields.