Gossypium nobile Fryxell, Craven & J.M.Stewart

Scientific Description

Shrub, with hairy stems. Leaves 40-120 mm long, 35-120 mm wide, not lobed; margins entire; hairy, with Simple hairs (without tubercle bases)with scales absent, Sessile glands absent; stipules present but early deciduous (only visible on youngest leaves), 8-10 mm long. Perianth clearly of two whorls (calyx and corolla), the corolla obvious and prominent. Pedicel present, 10-50 mm long; indumentum present, with simple hairs, with scales absent. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) present, 9-12 mm long, the lobes free, glabrous. Calyx green, 15-22 mm long, the lobes fused less than half their length, Sessile glands present, simple hairs (without tubercle bases) present, stellate hairs present, scales absent, Terminal appendages absent, number of ribs absent. Corolla white or pink, 40-60 mm long, glabrous, simple hairs (without tubercle bases) absent, stellate hairs absent, tubercle-based simple hairs absent, gland-tipped hairs absent, scales absent. Indumentum (outside) Sessile glands present. Stamens many, united and arising from a staminal tube around the style; filaments present, 1-2 mm long; anthers 0.9-1.1 mm long, indumentum absent (anthers glabrous). Staminodes absent, appendages absent. Ovary hairs and scales absent (ovary quite glabrous); style 1, with a lobed or capitate stigma, (7-)12-14 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; apex rounded; prickles absent (except perhaps a terminal awn); terminal awns or spines absent; calyx persistent to mature fruit, not accrescent. Flowering time May, June or July. Distribution Botanical Province Northern, IBRA Bioregion North Kimberley.