Botanical art
Prior names
Hibiscus farragei
Common names
Desert Rose Mallow
Bush Hibiscus
Etymology
Radyera named after Dr. Robert Alen Dyer (1900-1987), a South African botanist and taxonomist, working particularly on Ameryllidaceae and succulents. Farragei unsure of who it is named after.
Distribution and status
Found in the central and north-western parts of South Australia, growing on sandy, calcareous soils in open mallee communities, often on roadsides, creek levees and floodout areas. Also found in Western Australia, Northern Territory, New South Wales and Victoria. Native. Uncommon in South Australia. Rare in Victoria. Common in the other states.
Herbarium regions: North Western, Flinders Ranges, Eyre Peninsula, Northern Lofty, Murray, Yorke Peninsula
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Short-lived perennial shrub 1 m high, with stems dying back to ground level in winter. Leaves broadly ovate, to 15 cm long and wide, cordate, widely toothed, green above and whitish below. Inflorescence usually 2 or 3 on short pedicels arising from a stout axillary peduncle, with purplish (darker basal spot) flowers. Flowers throughout the year depending on rainfall. Fruits are pale brown hairy, globular capsule to 15 mm diameter, exceeding the calyx. Seeds are dark mottled brown to black ovoid seed to 3 mm long and 1.5 mm wide, with two flat faces. Seed embryo type is folded.
Seed collection and propagation
Collect seeds between October and January. 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 with a rubber bung or 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. From one collection, the seed viability was high, at 80%. 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 | 3,000 (13.6 g) | 12 | 13-Jan-2012 | MJT386 Murray | 1-Nov-2012 | 96% | -18°C |
| BGA | 2,900 (22.5 g) | 50+ | 29-Oct-2013 | DJD2785 Lake Eyre | 24-Mar-2015 | 80% | -18°C |
| BGA | 2,500 (14.39 g) | 15 | 24-Jul-2017 | KHB935 North Western | 30-Jun-2018 | 70% | -18°C |
| BGA | 2,100 (9.635 g) | 31-Jan-2023 | Jason van Weenen Eyre Peninsula | 20-Jun-2023 | 75% | -18°C |
Number of plants: This is the number of plants from which the seeds were collected.
Collection location: The Herbarium of South Australia's region name.
% Viability: Percentage of filled healthy seeds determined by a cut test or x-ray.