Corchorus elachocarpus F.Muell.

Scientific Description

Herb or shrub, with hairy stems. Leaves 20-45 mm long, 5-12 mm wide, not lobed; margins crenate or serrate; 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, 4-6 mm long; indumentum present, with stellate hairs present, with scales absent. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) absent. Calyx cream or white, 3.2-5.2 mm long, the lobes free, Sessile glands absent, stellate hairs present, scales absent, Terminal appendages absent, number of ribs absent. Corolla yellow, 2-5 mm long, glabrous. Indumentum (outside) Sessile glands absent. Stamens many, free and inserted at the base of the ovary; filaments present, 2.3-4 mm long; anthers 0.4-0.5 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, 1.2-2.7 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 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 deciduous before maturity, not accrescent; carpels 3; seeds per loculus ≥5. Flowering time May, June, July, August or September. Distribution Botanical Province Eremaean, IBRA Bioregion Great Sandy Desert, Pilbara and Carnarvon.