Waltheria indica L.

Scientific Description

Herb or shrub, with hairy stems. Leaves 20-80 mm long, 5-25 mm wide, not lobed; margins serrate; hairy, with stellate hairswith scales absent, Sessile glands absent; stipules present and persistent to older leaves, 3-15 mm long. Perianth clearly of two whorls (calyx and corolla), the corolla obvious and prominent. Pedicel absent (flower sessile). Epicalyx (extra segments or 'bracteoles' immediately below the calyx) absent. Calyx green, 4.5-5 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 or orange, 6-7 mm long, glabrous. Indumentum (outside) Sessile glands absent. Stamens many, free and inserted at the base of the ovary; filaments present, 0-0.2 mm long; anthers 0.6-1 mm long, indumentum absent (anthers glabrous). Staminodes absent, appendages absent. Ovary hairs and scales absent (ovary quite glabrous); style 1, with a lobed or capitate stigma, 0.8-1 mm long, with one style branches or lobes, mostly glabrous, wing absent. Flowering time April, May, June, July or September. Distribution Botanical Province Northern, Eremaean or South-West, IBRA Bioregion Great Sandy Desert, Tanami, Pilbara, Carnarvon, Gascoyne, Little Sandy Desert, North Kimberley, Victoria Bonaparte, Central Kimberley, Dampierland, Ord-Victorian-Plain and Avon Wheatbelt.