Pavonia Cav.

1 species naturalized Aust.; Qld, NSW

*Pavonia hastata Cav.

Small spreading shrub, covered with minute stellate hairs except the upper surfaces of the leaves which are scabrous. Leaves ovate-cordate to oblong-hastate, 1–3 cm long; margins crenate. Flowers axillary, solitary, on rather slender pedicels 1–3 cm long. Epicalyx with 5 free ovate bracteoles as long as the calyx. Calyx lobes c. 6 mm long. Petals reddish-purple with dark bases and veins, sometimes c. twice as long as the calyx but at other times short and closed over the stamens which are then reduced to 5. Ovary 5-locular. Fruit a schizocarp. Coast; Cumberland Plain; lower Blue Mts Open forest and partially cleared areas. Introd. from S. America. Fl. summer