Round-leaf Lasiopetalum  |  

Lasiopetalum rotundifolium, Family Sterculiaceae, also known as Round-leaf Lasiopetalum, is an erect shrub, growing to at least 60 cm tall. The branchlets contain both star-shaped and simple hairs. The lower surface of the alternate leaves, which are almost circular, have a close covering of grey, star-shaped hairs. The upper surface of these leaves is hairless. The leaves are on stalks, 10Ð20 mm long and have a blade 7Ð35 mm long and 9Ð30 mm wide. The deeply wrinkled blades have lobes above the point of attachment of the stalk, which gives it a heart- shape appearance. The compacted inflorescences, with a straight main axis 20Ð40 mm long, contain about eight flowers. One ovate bracteole is located below each flower and is quite distant from the calyx, which is pink. The calyx, 6 mm long, is divided nearly to the base into five lobes and is covered in felty hairs on the outside. There are no petals. There are five maroon anthers and the style has large, white, reflexed, star-shaped hairs. Flowering occurs from September to October (DEC, 2008).