Melhania oblongifolia F.Muell.

Scientific Description

Herb or shrub, with hairy stems. Leaves 15-80 mm long, 6-20 mm wide, not lobed; margins serrate; hairy, with stellate hairswith scales absent, Sessile glands absent; stipules present and persistent to older leaves, 10-15 mm long. Perianth clearly of two whorls (calyx and corolla), the corolla obvious and prominent. Pedicel present, 3-3.5 mm long; indumentum present, with stellate hairs present, with scales absent. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) present, 4.5-7.5 mm long, the lobes free, indumentum present, simple hairs (without tubercle bases) absent, stellate hairs present, gland-tipped hairs absentwith scales absent, Sessile glands absent. Calyx green, 8-10 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 yellow, 8-15 mm long, glabrous. Indumentum (outside) Sessile glands absent. Stamens five, free and inserted at the base of the ovary; filaments present, 1.7-3 mm long; anthers 1.8-3 mm long, indumentum absent (anthers glabrous). Staminodes present, appendages absent. Ovary hairs or scales present, simple hairs present, stellate hairs absent, gland-tipped hairs absent; styles several, free and separate, arising from the summit of the ovary, 3.4-6 mm long, with five style branches or lobes, mostly glabrous, wing absent. Flowering time February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October or November. Distribution Botanical Province Northern or Eremaean, IBRA Bioregion Great Sandy Desert, Pilbara, Carnarvon, Little Sandy Desert, Central Ranges, North Kimberley, Victoria Bonaparte, Central Kimberley, Dampierland and Ord-Victorian-Plain.