Lavatera triloba, L.

11. L. triloba L. View in CoL , Sp. Pl. 691 (1753).

Musk-scented perennial, woody at the base, with simple, glandular, as well as fasciculate or stellate hairs. Leaves cordate-orbicular, slightly 3-lobed; petiole up to 9 cm; stipules up to 2-5 x 1-5 cm, sometimes amplexicaul. Flowers in clusters of 3-7; pedicels shorter than subtending petiole. Epicalyx-segments 8-15 mm, lanceolate to broadly ovate; sepals ovate, acuminate, accrescent, somewhat connivent in fruit; petals 1-5-3 cm. Mericarps 12-16, glabrous or glandular-ciliate, smooth; dorsal face and angles rounded. Often in damp or saline habitats. W. Mediterranean region, S. Portugal. BI Hs It Lu Sa Si. 1 Stem, petioles and inflorescence softly tomentose with slender fasciculate hairs (c) subsp. agrigentina

1 Stem, petioles and inflorescences more or less hispid and with rigid stellate hairs

2 Epicalyx-segments united in their lower third, at least along two of the lines of junction; leaves flat or slightly undulate

(a) subsp. triloba

2 Epicalyx-segments mostly free or very nearly so at anthesis; leaves strongly undulate (b) subsp. pallescens