Androcalva rosea (S.A.J.Bell & L.M.Copel.) C.F.Wilkins & Whitlock APNI* Synonyms: Commersonia rosea S.A.J.Bell & L.M.Copel. APNI*
Description: Prostrate shrub 0.1–0.3 m high, producing trailing branches up to 60 cm long; branches stellate hairy, becoming glabrescent.
Leaves densely stellate hairy, with stipules linear, 6–9 mm long; petiole 4–10 mm long; lamina narrowly oblong to narrowly elliptic, (15-)24–70 mm long, 8–17 mm wide; base obtuse to sub-truncate; margincrenate; apex obtuse.
Inflorescence 1–3-flowered, inserted opposite a leaf. Calyx lobes 5, 7–9 mm long, pink, outer surface densely hairy (hairs stellate). Petals 5, free, pink, unequally and broadly 3-lobed, 5–7 mm long. Stamens 5, almost sessile, opposite the petals; staminal tube white; anthers yellow. Staminodes 5, white, alternating with the petals. Ovary densely stellate hairy.
Capsules globose, lime-green turning pale brown, 10–16 mm diam., densely covered in long bristles, each bristle sparsely to moderately covered with clear to white stiff hair; seeds ellipsoid, dark brown, 1.5–2.5 mm long.
Flowering: Plants have been observed to flower from August through to February.
Distribution and occurrence: This species is endemic to NSW, occurring in the Sandy Hollow region (Central Western Slopes). Grows in skeletal sandy soils in scrub or heath vegetation.
NSW subdivisions: CWS
Threatened species: Commonwealth EPBC: Endangered
This species was previously included in the genus Commersonia. It was transferred to the genus Androcalva, see Wilkins, C.F. & Whitlock, B.A. (2011), A new Australian genus, Androcalva, separated from Commersonia (Malvaceae s.l. or Byttneriaceae). Australian Systematic Botany 24(5): 338-339. Also refer Bell, S.A.J. & Copeland, L.M. (2004), Commersonia rosea (Malvaceae s.l.: Lasiopetaleae): a new, rare fire-ephemeral species from the upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales. Telopea 10(2): 582-586
Text by B.J. Conn (2006); A.E. Orme (2020);
Taxon concept: Wilkins and Whitlock (2011)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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