Melochia umbellata (Houtt.) Stapf

Scientific Description

Herb or shrub, with glabrous stems. Leaves 75-270 mm long, 35-150 mm wide, not lobed; margins entire; hairy, with stellate hairswith scales absent, Sessile glands absent; stipules present and persistent to older leaves. Perianth clearly of two whorls (calyx and corolla), the corolla obvious and prominent. Pedicel present, 1.5-4 mm long; indumentum present, with stellate hairs present, with scales absent. Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) absent. Calyx green, 6-7 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 white, pink, blue or purple, 8-9 mm long, glabrous. Indumentum (outside) Sessile glands absent. Stamens five, free and inserted at the base of the ovary; filaments present, 2.5-4 mm long; anthers 1.4-1.6 mm long, indumentum absent (anthers glabrous). Staminodes absent, appendages absent. Ovary hairs or scales present, simple hairs present, stellate hairs present, gland-tipped hairs absent; styles several, free and separate, arising from the summit of the ovary, 6 mm long, with five or numerous style branches or lobes, mostly glabrous, wing absent. Flowering time April, May, June, July, August or September. Distribution Botanical Province Northern, IBRA Bioregion North Kimberley.