Gossypium rotundifolium Fryxell, Craven & J.M.Stewart

Scientific Description

Herb or shrub, with hairy stems. Leaves 15-65 mm long, 24-50 mm wide, not lobed; margins entire; hairy, with Simple hairs (without tubercle bases), with stellate hairswith scales absent, Sessile glands absent; stipules present but early deciduous (only visible on youngest leaves), 6-7.2 mm long. Perianth clearly of two whorls (calyx and corolla), the corolla obvious and prominent. Pedicel present, 10-12 mm long; indumentum present, with simple hairs, with stellate hairs present, with scales absent. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) present, 5.5-6 mm long, the lobes free, glabrous, Sessile glands present. Calyx green, 15-25 mm long, the lobes fused less than half their length, Sessile glands absent, simple hairs (without tubercle bases) present, stellate hairs present, tubercle-based simple hairs absent, gland-tipped hairs absent, scales absent, Terminal appendages absent, number of ribs absent. Corolla white or pink, 35-60 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, 2-4 mm long; anthers 1-2.2 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, 23-27 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 and 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 March, April, May, June, July, August or September. Distribution Botanical Province Northern, IBRA Bioregion North Kimberley, Central Kimberley and Dampierland.