Hibiscus arenicola A.S.Mitch.

Scientific Description

Tree, with hairy stems. Leaves 10-15 mm long, 7-9 mm wide, not lobed; margins crenate; hairy, with stellate hairswith 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, 4 mm long; indumentum present, with stellate hairs present, with scales absent. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) present, 5-5.5 mm long, the lobes free, indumentum present, stellate hairs presentwith scales absent, Sessile glands absent. Calyx green, 10-15 mm long, the lobes fused less than half their length, Sessile glands absent, simple hairs (without tubercle bases) absent, stellate hairs present, tubercle-based simple hairs absent, gland-tipped hairs absent, scales absent, Terminal appendages absent, number of ribs absent. Corolla pink, blue or purple, 12-17 mm long, glabrous. Indumentum (outside) Sessile glands absent. Stamens many, united and arising from a staminal tube around the style; filaments present, 0.9-1.4 mm long; anthers 0.4-0.6 mm long, indumentum absent (anthers glabrous). Staminodes absent, appendages absent. Ovary hairs or scales present, simple hairs present, stellate hairs absent; style 1, 8-10 mm long, with five or numerous style branches or lobes, mostly glabrous, wing absent. Flowering time February, March, May or October. Distribution Botanical Province Eremaean, IBRA Bioregion Great Sandy Desert, Gascoyne, Gibson Desert and Central Ranges.