Malva pseudolavatera

Erect or ascending biennial to c. 1.5 m high. Leaves shallowly palmately 3–5-lobed or reniform, mostly 2–8 cm long and wide, broadly cordate at base, margins crenate, surfaces lightly pubescent with mainly stellate hairs. Epicalyx-lobes ovate, 3–7 mm long at anthesis, acute, enlarging to c. 8 mm in fruit; calyx subequal to c. one-third longer than epicalyx at anthesis, to c. 5 mm longer in fruit, the lobes incurved or erect, partly concealing mericarps; both epicalyx and calyx stellate-pubescent, usually with some simple hairs included; petals 10–20 mm long, pale pink or lilac, sometimes reddish-veined. Fruit c. 1 cm diam., mericarps 8–10, smooth or the transverse veins slightly raised, glabrous or pubescent, adjacent margins rounded to acute. Flowers Sep.–Feb.