Abutilon cryptopetalum (F.Muell.) Benth.

Scientific Description

Shrub, with hairy stems. Leaves 25-100 mm long, 15-55 mm wide, not lobed; margins crenate; hairy, with Simple hairs (without tubercle bases), with stellate hairswith scales absent, Sessile glands absent; stipules present but early deciduous (only visible on youngest leaves), 4-12 mm long. Perianth clearly of two whorls (calyx and corolla), the corolla obvious and prominent. Pedicel present, 7-30 mm long; indumentum present, with stellate hairs present, with scales absent. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) absent. Calyx green, 10-12 mm long, the lobes fused half or more of their length, Sessile glands absent, stellate hairs present, scales absent, Terminal appendages absent, number of ribs present, ten. Corolla yellow, white or cream, 11-16 mm long, glabrous, scales absent. Indumentum (outside) Sessile glands absent. Stamens many, united and arising from a staminal tube around the style; filaments present, 1-4 mm long; anthers 0.5-1 mm long, indumentum absent (anthers glabrous). Staminodes absent, appendages absent. Ovary hairs and scales absent (ovary quite glabrous); style 1, 7-8 mm long, with numerous 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) present, 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, not accrescent; carpels 2; seeds per loculus 1 or ≥5. Flowering time March, April, May, June or September. Distribution Botanical Province Eremaean or South-West, IBRA Bioregion Pilbara, Carnarvon, Gascoyne, Gibson Desert, Yalgoo, Murchison, Great Victorian Desert, Coolgardie, Geraldton Sandplains, Avon Wheatbelt and Jarrah Forest.