Small Flowered Kenaf

meeusei: named after Dr A.D.J. Meeuse, Dutch botanist, who worked in the National Herbarium in Pretoria

Annual or biennial herb to 1(-1.5)m, usually branched from the base. Stems aculeate and shortly stellate-tomentose. Leaves: petiole up to 12 cm; lamina (of middle leaves) ovate in outline, 3-5-palmatisect, the lobes rhombic to oblanceolate, minutely pubescent above with stellateor simple hairs, usually minutely stellate-pubescent beneath; margin serrate. Flowers 3-6 cm in diameter, yellow with dark red centre. Epicalyx of 8-12 bracts; each c.10 mm, linear; apex sometimes bearing an appendage but not clearly forked. Calyx c.15 mm; lobes usually ovate, only shortly acuminate; gland on calyx lobe less conspicuous, usually up to 1 mm in diameter. Capsule 14-15 × 11-12 mm, ovoid-conical, appressed-setose. Seeds with minute pectinate scales.

Caprivi-Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, South Africa.