Waltheria indica is a subshrub standing 0.6–2 m tall, known for its relatively rigid stems, which are erect to sometimes decumbent, and covered in velvety tomentose with stellate hairs. The leaves are simple and alternate, with broadly ovate to oblong-ovate blades measuring 2–15.5 cm long and 1–6 cm wide. The leaves have a rounded to subcordate base, a rounded or sometimes obtuse apex, and are tomentose with stellate hairs, giving the blades a rugose texture. The margins are serrate or serrate-dentate. The flowers are small, fragrant, and perfect, appearing in axillary, sessile, or pedunculate glomerules (a cymose inflorescence in the form of a ball-like cluster of flowers). The calyx comprises connate sepals that are strongly ribbed and villous, leading to a narrowly campanulate shape. The corolla is actinomorphic (radially symmetric) to moderately zygomorphic (bilaterally symmetric), tubular to rotate or reflexed, consisting of 5 yellow, spatulate petals. There are 5 stamens opposite the petals; the ovary is superior, 1-carpellate, and 1-celled. The fruit is a 2-valved capsule that is loculicidally dehiscent (splitting lengthwise to divide each locule into two parts) and obliquely globose, containing 1 seed per fruit that is oblong to subglobose; not winged, with or without endosperm. It is typically found in dry, often disturbed sites between 0–1,220 meters.
Bean-shaped (Reniform): Resembling the shape of a kidney or bean.
Square or Oblong: Angular shape with all sides more or less equal or longer than wide.
Triangular: Three-sided shape, broadest below the middle.
Elliptic: Rounded at both ends. shaped like an ellipse or oval.
Ovate or Obovate: egg-shaped, broader at one end.
Linear: Extremely long and narrow, with sides usually parallel.
Round: Appears circular, with length and width roughly the same.
Cardioid (Heart-Shaped): One edge has a prominent double curve into two lobes.
Cylindrical: A cylinder with parallel sides and a circular cross-section.
Discoid: Resembling a disc or plate with two relatively flat surfaces.
Fusiform: Spindle-shaped, tapering at both ends.
Globose: Spherical.
Lenticular: Resembling a lens with two convex surfaces.
Ovoid: Egg-shaped.
Plano-convex: Having a flat ventral (planar) surface and a curved dorsal (convex) surface.
Polygonal: Having more than three flat faces meeting at angles.
Sectoroid: Resembling a segment of an orange with two relatively flat faces and one curved face.
Subglobose/ellipsoid: Inflated shape but less than spherical.
Trigonous: Having three faces that meet at a distinct angle; triangular in cross-section.
Endangered species (E) are species that are so rare they’re in danger of becoming extinct.
Threatened species (T) are species that are likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of their range.
Species of Concern (SOC) are species about which there are some concerns regarding status and threats, but insufficient information is available to list the species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Plant Extinction Prevention (PEP) is a state status for rare plants that focuses its efforts on species that have fewer than 50 remaining wild individuals.
Orthodox seeds (desiccation-tolerant): can be dried to an internal seed moisture of less than 12% water and stored at freezing temperatures.
Intermediate seeds (temperature-sensitive) tend to age faster than orthodox seeds and may have only a 5-year lifespan when stored at -20°C. They are recommended for storage at 5°C.
Recalcitrant seeds (desiccation-sensitive): cannot be stored in a conventional freezer as they cannot survive after drying and/or freezing at -20°C. They are recommended for cryopreservation storage.