Malva preissiana Miq.

Scientific Description

Shrub, with hairy stems. Leaves 35-150 mm long, 25-70 mm wide, not lobed or irregularly lobed, simply (once-)lobed; margins crenate; hairy, with stellate hairswith scales absent, Sessile glands absent; stipules present and persistent to older leaves. Perianth clearly of two whorls (calyx and corolla), the corolla obvious and prominent. Pedicel present, 7-14 mm long; indumentum present, with stellate hairs present, with scales absent. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) present, 4-7 mm long, the lobes free, indumentum present, stellate hairs presentwith scales absent, Sessile glands absent. Calyx green, 6-12 mm long, the lobes fused half or more of 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 white, pink or purple, 13-25 mm long, glabrous. Indumentum (outside) Sessile glands absent. Stamens many, united and arising from a staminal tube around the style; filaments present, 0.5-1.2 mm long; anthers 0.4-0.6 mm long, indumentum absent (anthers glabrous). Staminodes absent, appendages absent. Ovary hairs and scales absent (ovary quite glabrous); styles several, free and separate, arising from the summit of the ovary, 6.5-10 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) absent, stellate hairs present, Sessile glands absent, tubercle-based simple hairs absent, gland-tipped hairs absent, scales absent; apex distinctly flat-topped; prickles absent (except perhaps a terminal awn); terminal awns or spines absent; calyx persistent to mature fruit; carpels 10; seeds per loculus 1. Flowering time July, September, October, November or December. Distribution Botanical Province Eremaean or South-West, IBRA Bioregion Coolgardie, Geraldton Sandplains, Swan Coastal Plain, Warren and Esperance.