Hibiscus fryxellii Mabb. var. fryxellii

Scientific Description

Shrub, with hairy stems. Leaves 50-65 mm long, 30-60 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), 5-20 mm long. Perianth clearly of two whorls (calyx and corolla), the corolla obvious and prominent. Pedicel present, 11-15 mm long; glabrous. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) present, 13-15 mm long, the lobes free, indumentum present, simple hairs (without tubercle bases) absent, stellate hairs present, gland-tipped hairs absentwith scales absent, Sessile glands absent. Calyx green, 17-25 mm long, the lobes fused less than half their length, Sessile glands absent, simple hairs (without tubercle bases) absent, stellate hairs present, tubercle-based simple hairs absent, gland-tipped hairs absent, scales absent, Terminal appendages absent, number of ribs absent. Corolla pink or purple, 45-115 mm long, glabrous. Indumentum (outside) Sessile glands absent. Stamens many, united and arising from a staminal tube around the style; filaments present, 1-1.5 mm long; anthers 1.6-1.8 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, 24-35 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, 25-30 mm long, accrescent; seeds per loculus 2-4. Flowering time April, May or July. Distribution Botanical Province Northern, IBRA Bioregion North Kimberley and Central Kimberley.