Gossypium sturtianum J.H.Willis var. sturtianum

Scientific Description

Herb or shrub, with hairy stems. Leaves 30-80 mm long, 20-40 mm wide, not lobed; margins entire; hairy, with stellate hairswith scales absent, Sessile glands absent; stipules present and persistent to older leaves or present but early deciduous (only visible on youngest leaves). Perianth clearly of two whorls (calyx and corolla), the corolla obvious and prominent. Pedicel present, 25-40 mm long; glabrous, with scales absent. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) present, 15-20 mm long, the lobes fused half or more of their length, indumentum present, simple hairs (without tubercle bases) present, stellate hairs presentwith scales absent, Sessile glands absent. Calyx green, 13-17 mm long, the lobes fused half or more of their length, Sessile glands absent, stellate hairs present, scales absent, Terminal appendages absent, number of ribs absent. Corolla pink, blue or purple, 40-50 mm long, hairs or scales present, simple hairs (without tubercle bases) present, 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, 1.3-3.2 mm long; anthers 1 mm long, indumentum absent (anthers glabrous). Staminodes absent, appendages absent. Ovary hairs or scales present, simple hairs present, stellate hairs absent, gland-tipped hairs absent; style 1, with a lobed or capitate stigma, 22 mm long, with one style branches or lobes, mostly glabrous, wing absent. Fruits dehiscent (capsules and follicles), length-width ratio more or less as long as wide, hairs or scales present, simple hairs (without tubercle bases) absent, stellate hairs absent, Sessile glands absent, tubercle-based simple hairs absent, gland-tipped hairs absent, scales present; 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 May, June, July, August, September or October. Distribution Botanical Province Eremaean, IBRA Bioregion Pilbara, Carnarvon and Central Ranges.