Hibiscus marenitensis Craven, F.D.Wilson & Fryxell

Scientific Description

Shrub, with hairy stems. Leaves 30-90 mm long, 30-65 mm wide, not lobed; margins entire; hairy, with tubercle-based simple hairs tubercle-based simple hairswith scales absent, Sessile glands absent; stipules present but early deciduous (only visible on youngest leaves), 15-25 mm long. Perianth clearly of two whorls (calyx and corolla), the corolla obvious and prominent. Pedicel present, 10-15 mm long; indumentum present, with simple hairs, with scales absent. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) absent. Calyx green, 12-15 mm long, the lobes fused less than half their length, Sessile glands absent, simple hairs (without tubercle bases) absent, stellate hairs absent, tubercle-based simple hairs present, gland-tipped hairs absent, scales absent, Terminal appendages absent, number of ribs absent. Corolla pink, 58-65 mm long, hairs or scales present, simple hairs (without tubercle bases) absent, stellate hairs absent, tubercle-based simple hairs present, gland-tipped hairs absent, scales absent. Indumentum (outside) Sessile glands absent. Stamens many. Ovary hairs or scales present, simple hairs present, stellate hairs absent, gland-tipped hairs absent; style 1, 20 mm long, with five 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) present, stellate hairs present, Sessile glands absent, tubercle-based simple hairs absent, gland-tipped hairs absent, scales absent; apex rounded; prickles absent (except perhaps a terminal awn); terminal awns or spines absent; calyx persistent to mature fruit, 20 mm long, accrescent; seeds per loculus 2-4. Flowering time May or June. Distribution Botanical Province Northern, IBRA Bioregion North Kimberley. Conservation Code Priority Three (P3).