Sand hibiscus

Appearance

Erect shrub 1-3 m high; densely stellate-tomentose; leaves orbicular, usually 2-3 cm long but up to 5 cm long, 3-5-lobed, with ovate lobes, coarsely crenate, strongly reticulate, densely tomentose; petioles 5-20 mm long.

Peduncles solitary, shorter than the petioles; epicalyx of 8-10 unequal free linear 6-25 mm long segments, attached at the base of the calyx; calyx 16-25 mm long, densely stellate-tomentose, divided into 5 lanceolate-subulate 3-5-nerved lobes up to twice as long as the tube; petals lilac, usually deeper at the base, 3-7 cm long, 1-toothed at the upper outer edge, stellate-tomentose on the lower surface, densely so towards the base; style branches connate; stigmas subsessile, subglobular.

Capsule globose-ellipsoid, shorter than the calyx, pubescent, containing numerous pubescent seeds.

Distribution

Western Australia.

Habitat

Sandy, gravely soil. Desert areas.