Hermannia cordifolia Harv.

Suffrutex, robust, erect, up to 1 m high; branches ascending, stout, dark brown, densely stellate-pubescent, the hairs of different lengths, sometimes with gland-tipped hairs intermingled. Stipules ovate, acuminate, often oblique, cordate to semi-cordate and decurrent at base, about 12 mm long, 7 mm broad near base. Leaves petiolate; blade large, ovate to ovate-oblong, 2-5 cm long, 1.5-3 cm broad, rounded to subcordate at base, crenate-undulate on margins, upper surface hirsute with hairs from a scaly base but lying in one direction, lower surface grey-tomentose and stellate-pubescent, nerves prominent beneath; petiole short, 3-12 mm long, densely stellate-pubescent, the rays of different lengths. Inflorescence of compound, axillary cymes; ultimate cymes 2-flowered, congested; peduncles 10-30 mm long; pedicels up to 7 mm long; bracts 25 mm long, 7 mm broad, bracteoles like the stipules but smaller and some subulate. Calyx 7.5-9.5 mm long, lobed in upper third, densely stellate without, tube at first suburceolate but wide at mouth when mature with capsule protruding, lobes deltoid, erect. Petals 9-10 mm long, upper half oblong-cuneate, narrowing gradually into a claw with inrolled margins. Stamens about 6 mm long; filaments hyaline, obovate; anthers overlapping filaments for 1 mm. Ovary not seen. Capsule 8 or 9 mm long, densely stellate-pubescent, shallowly lobed, lobes rounded at apex.