Gossypium marchantii Fryxell, Craven & J.M.Stewart

Scientific Description

Tree, with hairy stems. Leaves 50-100 mm long, not lobed; margins entire; hairy, with stellate hairswith scales absent, Sessile glands absent; stipules present but early deciduous (only visible on youngest leaves), 5-8 mm long. Perianth clearly of two whorls (calyx and corolla), the corolla obvious and prominent. Pedicel present, 5-15 mm long; indumentum present, with stellate hairs present, with scales absent. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) present, 6-8 mm long, the lobes free, glabrous, stellate hairs presentwith scales absent, Sessile glands present. Calyx green, 12-16 mm long, the lobes fused less than half their length, Sessile glands present, stellate hairs present, scales absent, Terminal appendages absent, number of ribs absent. Corolla white or pink, 30-40 mm long, glabrous, scales absent. Indumentum (outside) Sessile glands present. Stamens many, united and arising from a staminal tube around the style; filaments present, 2 mm long; anthers 1-1.2 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, 8 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 April, May or June. Distribution Botanical Province Northern, IBRA Bioregion North Kimberley. Conservation Code Priority One (P1).