The Sturt’s desert rose is a woody, compact shrub with attractive mauve flowers.

It is closely related to the cotton plant and is usually found growing on rocky slopes or in dry creek beds.

The plant’s English name is a tribute to explorer Charles Sturt, who came across the shrub during his journey through Central Australia in 1844.

The Sturt’s desert rose is the official floral emblem of the Northern Territory and appears in a stylised form on the NT flag.