Citation: L., Sp. Pl. 690 (1753).

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: Tree mallow.

Description:
Tall biennial 1-3 m high, on all but old parts densely stellate-villous; leaves orbicular, 2-12 cm long, cordate, with 5-7 rarely 9 acute to rounded lobes, shallowly and broadly crenate, on long petioles.

Peduncles 0.5-2.5 cm long, spreading but distally not abruptly erect; epicalyx segments exceeding the calyx, enlarging after flowering; calyx c. 5 mm long, hardly enlarging after flowering, with the arms of the stellate hairs 0.6-1 rarely 1.2 mm long; corolla purple-pink with dark veins, 2 or 3 times longer than the epicalyx.

Mericarps 6 or 7 rarely 8, 2.5-3.5 rarely 4 mm long, flattish and transversely wrinkled on the upper surface, with margins sharp or slightly winged, entire.

	Lavatera arborea
Image source: fig 437a in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Published illustration: Ross-Craig (1952) Drawings Brit. Pl. 6:t. 18.

Distribution:    W.Aust.; N.S.W.; Vic.   New Zealand; native to north-western Europe and the Mediterranean. Roadsides, vacant suburban blocks and other disturbed areas, growing predominantly with other naturalised species. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: mainly July — Jan.

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