Lasiopetalum

Description

Lasiopetalum (velvet bushes) is a genus in the family Malvaceae containing around 35 species of shrub, which are native to Australia. It is allied to the genera Guichenotia and Thomasia. The greatest diversity of species is in Western Australia, where 24 species are found of which 8 are endemic to the region. Species occur in lowland sclerophyll forest and heathland habitats. Most species are spreading or prostrate many-branched shrubs. Commonly known as velvet bushes, they derive their common name from the pubescent (finely-furred) nature of the stems, leaves and flowers. Their leaves are generally arranged alternately on the stems. The flowerheads are either axillary or terminal. The flowers are small, the five-lobed calyces are hairy and the petals tiny. The genus is rarely cultivated, although many species have flushes of attractive reddish hairy new growth, and several were cultivated in England in the 19th century.