Bombax ceiba var. leiocarpum A.Robyns

Scientific Description

Tree, with glabrous stems. Leaves 115-225 mm long, 50-70 mm wide, not lobed; margins entire; hairs and scales absent (leaves quite glabrous), Sessile glands absent; stipules present but early deciduous (only visible on youngest leaves). Perianth clearly of two whorls (calyx and corolla), the corolla obvious and prominent. Pedicel present, 12 mm long; glabrous. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) absent. Calyx red, 20-25 mm long, the lobes fused half or more of their length, Sessile glands absent, Terminal appendages absent, number of ribs absent. Corolla red, 65-90 mm long, hairs or scales present, simple hairs (without tubercle bases) absent, stellate hairs present, tubercle-based simple hairs absent, gland-tipped hairs absent, scales absent. Indumentum (outside) Sessile glands absent. Stamens many, united and arising from a staminal tube around the style; filaments present, 24-40 mm long; anthers 3-40 mm long, indumentum absent (anthers glabrous). Staminodes absent, appendages absent. Ovary hairs and scales absent (ovary quite glabrous); style 1, 45-70 mm long, with one style branches or lobes, mostly glabrous, wing absent. Fruits dehiscent (capsules and follicles), length-width ratio at least 1.5 times as long as wide, hairs and scales absent, Sessile glands absent; apex rounded; prickles absent (except perhaps a terminal awn); terminal awns or spines present; calyx deciduous before maturity, not accrescent; carpels 5. Flowering time August or September. Distribution Botanical Province Northern, IBRA Bioregion Pilbara, Little Sandy Desert, Yalgoo, Murchison, North Kimberley, Central Kimberley and Mallee.