Thomasia petalocalyx

Common name: 

Paper Flower

Family: 

Malvaceae
(alternate family: Sterculiaceae)

Distribution (from Flora of Victoria):

Lowan Mallee, Wimmera, Wannon, Grampians, Victorian Volcanic Plain, Otway Plain, Otway Range, Wilsons Promontory (CDKPT) also WA, SA

Map - Australia's Virtual Herbarium

Distribution and ecological preference at Wilsons Promontory (if known):

Drier forests, heathy woodland and coastal heath1

Flower description:

Red1

Habit:

Shrub 0.3-1 m high1

Distinguishing characteristics (within family/genus):

This is an endemic genus of more than 30 species, but only Thomasia petalocalyx is present in Victoria. The calyx is purplish and papery and stipules are present1

Images:
Image of Thomasia petalocalyx
Image of Thomasia petalocalyx
Image of Thomasia petalocalyx Image: Will Neal
Image of Thomasia petalocalyx Image: Erin Batty
Links to more images:

Atlas of Living Australia

Links to description of this species:

RBG

Conservation status:

Rare in Victoria

References:

1 Walsh, N. G. and Entwisle, T. J. “Flora of Victoria”, volumes 2 (1994), 3 (1996) and 4 (1999). Inkata Press, Port Melbourne, Victoria