Lasiopetalum molle Benth.
Soft Leaved Lasiopetalum

Scientific Description

Shrub, with hairy stems. Leaves 20-40 mm long, 10-20 mm wide, not lobed or tripartitely lobed, simply (once-)lobed; margins entire; hairy, with stellate hairswith scales absent, Sessile glands absent; stipules apparently absent, even from youngest leaves. Perianth of two whorls but the corolla reduced to small scales or tiny lobes at the base of the ovary. Pedicel present, 2.5-4 mm long; indumentum present, with stellate hairs present, with scales absent. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) present, 1.5-2 mm long, the lobes free, indumentum present, stellate hairs presentwith scales absent, Sessile glands absent. Calyx pink, blue or purple, 7-9 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. Stamens five, free and inserted at the base of the ovary; filaments present, 0.2-0.6 mm long; anthers 1.3-2.2 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, 3.4-3.7 mm long, with one style branches or lobes, hairy for most of length, wing absent. Flowering time July, August, September or October. Distribution Botanical Province South-West, IBRA Bioregion Avon Wheatbelt, Jarrah Forest and Mallee.