Corchorus tridens L.

Scientific Description

Herb or shrub, with hairy stems. Leaves 15-75 mm long, 5-20 mm wide, not lobed; margins crenate or sinuate; hairy, with Simple hairs (without tubercle bases)with scales absent, Sessile glands absent; stipules present but early deciduous (only visible on youngest leaves), 7-9 mm long. Perianth clearly of two whorls (calyx and corolla), the corolla obvious and prominent. Pedicel absent (flower sessile). Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) absent. Calyx 2 mm long, the lobes fused less than half their length, Sessile glands absent, simple hairs (without tubercle bases) 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, 1.5 mm long; anthers 0.2 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, 0.8 mm long, with one style branches or lobes, mostly glabrous, wing absent. Fruits dehiscent (capsules and follicles), length-width ratio at least 1.5 times as long as wide, hairs and scales absent, Sessile glands absent, scales absent; apex rounded; prickles absent (except perhaps a terminal awn); terminal awns or spines present; calyx deciduous before maturity, not accrescent; carpels 2; seeds per loculus ≥5. Flowering time January, February, March, April, May or June. Distribution Botanical Province Northern or Eremaean, IBRA Bioregion Pilbara, Little Sandy Desert, Victoria Bonaparte, Central Kimberley, Dampierland and Ord-Victorian-Plain.