Commersonia gilva C.F.Wilkins

Scientific Description

Shrub, with hairy stems. Leaves 6-15 mm long, 1.3-6 mm wide, not lobed; margins crenate; hairy, with stellate hairswith scales absent, Sessile glands absent; stipules present but early deciduous (only visible on youngest leaves). Perianth clearly of two whorls (calyx and corolla), the corolla obvious and prominent. Pedicel present, 0.8-1.2 mm long; indumentum present, with stellate hairs present, with scales absent. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) absent. Calyx yellow, 2.5-4 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, 1.7-2.8 mm long, glabrous, scales absent. Indumentum (outside) Sessile glands absent. Stamens five, free and inserted at the base of the ovary; filaments present, 0.5-1 mm long, indumentum absent (anthers glabrous). Staminodes present, appendages absent. Ovary hairs or scales present, simple hairs absent, stellate hairs present, gland-tipped hairs absent; styles several, free and separate, arising from the summit of the ovary, 0.8-1 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 rounded; prickles absent (except perhaps a terminal awn); terminal awns or spines absent; calyx persistent to mature fruit, not accrescent. Flowering time May, June, July, August, September, October or November. Distribution Botanical Province South-West, IBRA Bioregion Mallee and Esperance.