Sturt’s Desert Rose (Gossypium sturtianum) is a perennial plant that  has a life cycle of 10 years. It has a small, purple flower that grows on a tall shrub. Sturt’s Desert Rose occurs naturally in sandy or gravelly soils along dry creek beds, watercourses, gorges or rocky slopes.

Characteristics

Sturt’s Desert Rose is a small bushy plant that usually grows to a height of one and a half metres naturally, sometimes higher with farming. It has dark green, oval-shaped leaves and the petals of the flowers are purple, with deep red markings at the centre. Sturt’s Desert Rose has five petals. The flower may be up to 10 cm in diameter, and attracts honeyeaters. The leaves have a strong scent when they are crushed.

Adaptations

• The Sturt’s Rose has few stomata, which reduces water loss.
• They have an internal water storage.
• They have deep root systems that allow it to reach water deep under ground.

Distribution

Sturt’s Desert Rose (Gossypium sturtianum) is found throughout the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

 

Interesting Fact

The Sturt’s Desert Rose is the floral emblem of Northern Territory.