Androcalva is a genus of 33 species of flowering plants in the family Malvaceae (order Malvales), endemic to continental Australia. The genus was formally described in 2011 by Carolyn Wilkins and Barbara Whitlock in the journal Australian Systematic Botany, bringing together 22 species formerly placed in Commersonia, 4 from Rulingia, and 7 newly described species.
Plants in the genus are shrubs or trees distinguished by a dense covering of star-shaped (stellate) hairs on their stems, leaves, and flowers. The leaves are simple, often with irregularly toothed or lobed margins, and bear ligules at the base that are sometimes deciduous. Flowers are bisexual and arranged in cymes positioned opposite the leaf axils; each flower has 5 sepals, 5 petals, 5 fertile stamens, and 5 staminodes that are sometimes three-lobed. The fruit is a bristly capsule with five valves, also covered in star-shaped hairs.
Species occur across all continental states and territories of Australia. Notable members include Androcalva fraseri (blackfellow's hemp or brush kurrajong, New South Wales and Queensland), Androcalva tatei (trailing commersonia, South Australia and Victoria), and Androcalva rossii (blackfellow's hemp, New South Wales and Victoria).
Etymology
The genus name Androcalva derives from Greek/Latin roots meaning "bald male", a reference to the glabrous (hairless) staminodes that distinguish the genus from its relatives.
Distribution
All 33 species of Androcalva are endemic to continental Australia, with species represented across all states and territories. Western Australia and Queensland have the highest species richness, with several species restricted to South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory.
Taxonomy Notes
The genus Androcalva was established in 2011 by Carolyn Wilkins and Barbara Whitlock in Australian Systematic Botany, consolidating 22 species previously placed in Commersonia and 4 from Rulingia, together with 7 newly described species. It sits within the family Malvaceae, order Malvales. The lead image on Wikipedia uses the former name Commersonia fraseri for the species now accepted as Androcalva fraseri.
