Gossypium costulatum Tod.

Scientific Description

Herb or shrub, with glabrous stems. Leaves 50-115 mm long, 30-80 mm wide, not lobed; margins entire; hairy, with tubercle-based simple hairs absentwith scales absent, Sessile glands absent; stipules present and persistent to older leaves or present but early deciduous (only visible on youngest leaves). Perianth clearly of two whorls (calyx and corolla), the corolla obvious and prominent. Pedicel present, 35 mm long; indumentum present, with stellate hairs present, with scales absent. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) present, 7-15 mm long, the lobes free, indumentum present, simple hairs (without tubercle bases) present, stellate hairs present, gland-tipped hairs absentwith scales absent, Sessile glands absent. Calyx green, 18-30 mm long, the lobes free, Sessile glands absent, stellate hairs present, scales absent, Terminal appendages absent, number of ribs absent. Corolla white or pink, 40-55 mm long, glabrous. Stamens many, united and arising from a staminal tube around the style; filaments present, 1.5-3 mm long; anthers 1-1.2 mm long, indumentum absent (anthers glabrous). Staminodes absent, appendages absent. Ovary hairs and scales absent (ovary quite glabrous); styles several, free and separate, arising from the summit of the ovary or style 1, with a lobed or capitate stigma, 15-23 mm long, with one style branches or lobes, mostly glabrous, wing absent. Flowering time January, February, March, April, May, June, July or August. Distribution Botanical Province Northern, IBRA Bioregion North Kimberley.