Citation: J.H. Willis, Victortan Nat. 64:9 (1947) var. sturtianum.

Synonymy: Sturtia gossypioides R. Br. in Sturt, Exped. Centr. Aust., Bot. App. 68 (1849); G. gossypioides (R. Br.)C. Gardner, Enum. Pl. Aust. Occ. 79 (1931), nom. tilegit.; Cienfuegosia gossypioides (R. Br.)Hochr., Ann. Conserv. Jard. Bot. Gengve 6:56 (1902); G. sturtii F. Muell., Frgam. Phyt. Aust. 3:6 (1862), nom. illegit.; G. australiense Tod., Osserv. 19 (1863), nom. illegit.

Common name: Sturts desert-rose.

Description:
Glabrous shrub usually 1-2 m high; leaves firm, ovate to obovate or orbicular, mucronate, folded up along the midrib, 2-6 cm long; petioles slender, usually 1-3 cm long; a reddish nectary 1-2 mm long on the abaxial base of the lamina.

Peduncles fairly stout, 5-15 mm long; epicalyx segments ovate or ovate-lanceolate, more or less cordate, many-nerved, 20-25 mm long; calyx subtruncate, with 5 acuminate teeth, shorter than the epicalyx; petals 4-6 cm long, pale-purple or mauve with a reddish blotch at the base.

Capsule glabrous, black-dotted, c. 16 mm long, several times the length of the calyx but enclosed by the epicalyx.

Published illustration: Cunningham et al. (1982) Plants of western New South Wales, p. 479.

Distribution:    all mainland States except Vic. Conservation status: native Flowering time: Oct. — Dec.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available