Malva assurgentiflora (Kellogg) M.F. Ray

Woody shrub up to 2–(4) m high, much-branched from base. Stems clothed in very fine stellate hairs when young, becoming ± glabrous when older. Lvs densely clothed in fine stellate hairs, triangular to suborbicular, cordate to obtuse at base, (3)–5–7-palmately lobed to c. 1/2 radius, coarsely crenate, 2–15–(20) cm diam.; petioles 3–15 cm long; stipules triangular, 3–5 mm long, deciduous. Fls in axillary clusters of 1–4–(5); fruiting pedicels 20–50 mm long; epicalyx segments ovate-triangular, united for lower ⅓, usually c. 1/2 as long as calyx, unchanged at fruiting; calyx long-tubular; calyx teeth much < tube, triangular, acuminate, densely clothed in stellate hairs, somewhat recurved at fruiting; petals magenta with darker veins, 30–40 mm long. Mericarps 7–9 per fr., glabrous or sparsely to moderately hairy, smooth on back, but a single low longitudinal rib usually present; edges sharply angled or slightly rounded.

[From: Webb et al. (1985) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4 as Lavatera assurgentiflora Kellogg]