Description: Scandent shrub, densely reddish brown hairs on twigs, leaves beneath, petioles, buds and pods. Stipules minute, early caducous. Leaves unifoliolate, broadly ovate, 9–15 cm long, 5–7-nerved; bifid ca ½, with broad sinus, tip of lobes rounded; base cordate; petioles 3–4 cm. Racemes to 10 cm long; bracts and bracteoles minutes, early caducous. Flower buds lanceolate, 3-4 cm long; receptacle tubular as long as flower buds; pedicels 1–1.5 cm. Calyx splitting up into 2–3-reflexed segments. Petals reddish pink with yellow centre, lanceolate, 4–6 cm long, claw shorter than blade. Stamens 3 fertile; filaments glabrous, 3–4.5 cm; anthers linear, ca 1 cm; staminodes 2, minute, subulate. Ovary 1–1.5 cm with a 1–2 cm long stipe; style 2–3 cm; stigma peltate. Pods dehiscent, velvety, with thick dorsal suture, strap-shaped, broadest towards the acuminate, beaked apex. Seeds 4–6, flattened, orbicular, 1–1.5 cm diam. |
