Corchorus sidoides subsp. vermicularis (F.Muell.) Halford

Scientific Description

Herb or shrub, with hairy stems. Leaves 10-35 mm long, 2-7 mm wide, not lobed; margins entire; hairy, with stellate hairswith scales absent, Sessile glands absent; stipules present but early deciduous (only visible on youngest leaves), 10-12 mm long. Perianth clearly of two whorls (calyx and corolla), the corolla obvious and prominent. Pedicel present, 2-3 mm long; indumentum present, with stellate hairs present, with scales absent. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) absent. Calyx blue, cream or white, 3.8-5.2 mm long, the lobes fused less than half their length, Sessile glands absent, stellate hairs present, scales absent, Terminal appendages absent, number of ribs absent. Corolla yellow, 2.8-5 mm long, glabrous. Indumentum (outside) Sessile glands absent. Stamens many, free and inserted at the base of the ovary; filaments present, 1.7-2.5 mm long; anthers 0.3-0.6 mm long, indumentum absent (anthers glabrous). Staminodes absent, appendages absent. Ovary hairs or scales present, simple hairs absent, stellate hairs present, gland-tipped hairs absent; style 1, with a lobed or capitate stigma, 2.6-3 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, Sessile glands absent; apex rounded; prickles absent (except perhaps a terminal awn); terminal awns or spines present; calyx deciduous before maturity, not accrescent; carpels 2; seeds per loculus ≥5. Flowering time January, April or May. Distribution Botanical Province Northern or Eremaean, IBRA Bioregion Great Sandy Desert, Pilbara, Carnarvon, Gascoyne, Little Sandy Desert, Central Kimberley, Dampierland and Ord-Victorian-Plain.