Abelmoschus moschatus subsp. biakensis (Hochr.) Borss.Waalk.

Scientific Description

Shrub, with hairy stems. Leaves 70-80 mm long, 65-70 mm wide, not lobed; margins crenate or serrate; hairy, with Simple hairs (without tubercle bases)with scales absent, 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, 120-125 mm long; indumentum present, with simple hairs, with scales absent. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) present, 18 mm long, the lobes free, indumentum present, simple hairs (without tubercle bases) present, stellate hairs present, gland-tipped hairs absentwith scales absent, Sessile glands absent. Calyx green, 8 mm long, the lobes fused less than half their length, Sessile glands absent, simple hairs (without tubercle bases) present, scales absent, Terminal appendages absent, number of ribs absent. Corolla yellow or red, 60-70 mm long, glabrous. Indumentum (outside) Sessile glands absent. Stamens many, united and arising from a staminal tube around the style; filaments present, indumentum absent (anthers glabrous). Staminodes absent, appendages absent. Ovary hairs and scales absent (ovary quite glabrous); style 1, 32 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 or scales present, simple hairs (without tubercle bases) present, stellate hairs absent, Sessile glands absent, tubercle-based simple hairs absent, gland-tipped hairs absent, scales absent; apex rounded; prickles absent (except perhaps a terminal awn); terminal awns or spines absent; calyx persistent to mature fruit, not accrescent; seeds per loculus 2-4. Flowering time January or December. Distribution Botanical Province Northern, IBRA Bioregion North Kimberley.