Australian Native Plants

  Gynatrix pulchella (Hemp Bush)


Gynatrix pulchella photo
Gynatrix pulchella, Valley Reserve, Mount Waverley, Victoria, Australia

Photograph by Melburnian. Some rights reserved.    (view image details)




HEMP BUSH FACTS

distribution map showing range of Gynatrix pulchella in Australia

Map is from The Atlas of Living Australia web site, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License


Common Name
Hemp Bush

Other Names
Aboriginal Hemp

Description
Hemp Bush is a fast growing evergreen flowering shrub in the Hibiscus family (Malvaceae). Produces masses of small white or cream flowers with yellow centres. The plant is dioecious (individual plant has either male flowers or female flowers but not both, so both male and female plants are required to produce seed). The leaves are bright green and elongated triangle shape.

Habitat
moist, semi-shaded areas along water courses

Distribution
south-east Australia in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania

Growth Characteristics
Height: to 3m
Propagation
Gynatrix can be propagated by seed or cuttings.

Classification
Class:Magnoliopsida
Order:Malvales
Family:Malvaceae
Genus:Gynatrix
Species:pulchella
Common Name:Hemp Bush