Botanical art
Prior names
Sida cryptopetala
Abutilon cryptopetalum, partly
Common names
Hill Lantern-bush
Etymology
Abutilon from the Arabic 'aubutilun' used for mallow-like plant and quoted by the Arabian physician Avicenna as belonging to this or some allied genus. Cryptopetalum from the Greek 'krypto' meaning hidden and 'petalon' meaning petals, referring to the petals being short and enclosed by the calyx.
Distribution and status
Found in the northern part of South Australia, growing on rockyor gravelly hills or rises, on breakaways and on sandplains. Also found in Western Australia, Northern Territory and New South Wales. Native. Common in South Australia. Common in the other states.
Herbarium regions: North Western, Lake Eyre, Nullarbor, Gairdner-Torrens, Flinders Ranges, Eyre Peninsula
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Upright straggly perennial herb or subshrub to 100 cm tall, covered in velvety hairs. Leaves ovate to lanceolate, to 7 cm long. Flowers creamy yellow or pale yellow, scarcely exceeding the calyx. Flowering possible all year round depending on rainfall. Fruit capsule nearly as long as the calyx comprising of 7-10 segments which open at an acutely pointed tip. Seeds are dark brown covered in hairs. Seed embryo type is folded.
Seed collection and propagation
Collect seeds possibly all year round depending on rainfall. Collect mature capsules, those that are turning pale straw colour and contain dark hard seeds. Place the capsules in a tray and leave to dry for two weeks. Then rub the capsules gently by hand to dislodge the seeds. Use a sieve to separate the unwanted material. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place. This species has physical dormancy that needs to be overcome for the seed to germinate (e.g. nicking or softening the seed coat).
Location | No. of seeds (weight grams) | Number of plants | Date collected | Collection number Collection location | Date stored | % Viability | Storage temperature |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BGA | 2,750 (4.68 g) | 40+ | 17-Apr-2011 | KHB567 Flinders Ranges | 24-Jun-2020 | 86% | -18°C |