Malvastrum A.Gray

3 species in Aust. (1 native, 2 introduced); all states and territories except Tas.

*Malvastrum americanum (L.) Torrey

Herb or woody herb up to c. 1 m high. Leaves ovate, up to 6 cm long, hirsute-pubescent with stellate hairs, dentate, petiolate. Flowers in dense terminal spikes, c. 1 cm diam. Epicalyx with 3 lanceolate bracteoles. Calyx lobes longer than the tube, enclosing the fruit. Fruit a schizocarp with c. 10 mericarps. Introd. from America. Spiked Malvastrum