Melochia corchorifolia L.

Scientific Description

Herb or shrub, with glabrous or hairy stems. Leaves 9-135 mm long, 5-65 mm wide, not lobed; margins serrate; hairy, with stellate hairswith scales absent, Sessile glands absent; stipules present and persistent to older leaves, 15-30 mm long. Perianth clearly of two whorls (calyx and corolla), the corolla obvious and prominent. Pedicel present, 1 mm long; indumentum present, with stellate hairs present, with scales absent. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) absent, 5-6 mm long, the lobes fused less than half their length, glabrous, Sessile glands absent. Calyx green, 2 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 red, pink or purple, 5-6 mm long, glabrous. Stamens five, free and inserted at the base of the ovary; anthers 2 mm long, indumentum absent (anthers glabrous). Staminodes absent, appendages absent. Ovary hairs or scales present, simple hairs present, stellate hairs absent, gland-tipped hairs absent. Flowering time February, March, April, May, June or August. Distribution Botanical Province Northern, IBRA Bioregion North Kimberley, Victoria Bonaparte, Central Kimberley and Dampierland.