Extensively creeping, rhizomatous subshrub, aerial branches ascending, to c. 40 cm high; stems 4-ridged. Leaves ovate, 4–8 cm long, 1–3.5 cm wide, base obtuse to truncate, apex obtuse, lower surface greyish. Flowers solitary, terminal; sepals unequal, broadly elliptic or ovate, c. 1–2 cm long, not black-dotted; petals obovate, usually asymmetric, 2.5–4 cm long, yellow, not black-dotted; stamens numerous, a little more than half as long as petals, shortly united at base into 5 bundles; styles 5. Capsule narrowly ovoid, c. 2 cm long, deflexing at maturity; seeds flattened-ellipsoid, c. 1.3 mm long, winged at one end. Flowers Dec.–Mar.
GipP, OtP, WaP, CVU, EGU, HSF, HNF, Strz. Also naturalised SA, NSW, Tas. Native to Turkey and Bulgaria, but widely cultivated. Uncommon weed, possibly not naturalizing far beyond gardens, but noted outside cultivation near Lysterfield, Yarra Junction and Mt Worth (Strzelecki Range).
Source:
Walsh, N.G. (1996). Clusiaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 3, Dicotyledons Winteraceae to Myrtaceae, pp. 316–321. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
