Corchorus leptocarpus Benth.

Scientific Description

Herb or shrub, with glabrous stems. Leaves 30-90 mm long, 7-40 mm wide, not lobed; margins 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, 3-5 mm long; indumentum present, with stellate hairs present, with scales absent. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) absent. Calyx 8-13 mm long, the lobes free, Sessile glands absent, stellate hairs present, scales absent, Terminal appendages absent, number of ribs absent. Corolla yellow, 6-9 mm long, glabrous. Indumentum (outside) Sessile glands absent. Stamens many, free and inserted at the base of the ovary; filaments present, 5-6 mm long; anthers 0.5-1.1 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, 4-9.8 mm long, with one style branches or lobes, hairy for most of length, wing absent. Fruits dehiscent (capsules and follicles), length-width ratio at least 1.5 times 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 present; calyx deciduous before maturity, not accrescent; carpels 4; seeds per loculus 2-4. Flowering time January, February, April, May, June or November. Distribution Botanical Province Northern, IBRA Bioregion North Kimberley.