Herb 0.15–0.4 (–1.3) m high. Branchlet with stellate hairs (fine 0.4–0.8 mm long, coarse 0.2–0.8 mm long), with sparse fine bristles (0.25–0.4 mm long). Stipules ± persistent, 4–6 mm long. Petiole 20–50 mm long, indumentum similar to the branchlet. Mid-stem and distal leaves: 3-lobed, lobing extended to the apex of the petiole, the primary lobes themselves strongly lobed, palmately veined; lamina ovate, broadly ovate or suborbicular, 20–90 mm long, 25–80 mm wide, margin sparsely serrate, lobe apex rounded, with stellate hairs and fine bristles, foliar nectary absent. Flowers solitary in leaf axils, chasmogamous, pedunculate; peduncle 15–60 mm long, with stellate hairs and sparse fine bristles; pedicel 0.25–0.6 mm long, indumentum dissimilar to peduncle (the hairs slightly denser and longer); epicalyx 10–13-segmented, segments linear, free at the base, 6.5–11 mm long, shorter than the calyx; calyx at anthesis 11–14 mm long, distinctly accrescent in fruit, with stellate hairs and coarse bristles, without prominent marginal ribs, lobes triangular, acute at the apex; calyx nectary absent; petal 22–30 mm long, yellow or cream with a large purplish basal petal spot; staminal column straight, apex 5-lobed, staminal column 7–12 mm long with stamens distributed along the distal 1.6–4 mm of the column, staminal filaments 2–3 mm long, anthers yellow, pollen yellow, style (including style branches) exserted 2–3 mm beyond the apex of the staminal column, branches 5, 0.7–0.9 mm long, stigmas capitate, 0.4–0.6 mm across, stigmatic hairs 0.2–0.3 mm long, ovary hairy. Fruit a capsule, 12–16 mm long, hairy. Seed 2.3–2.5 mm long, subreniform, papillate–pubescent and smooth between the hair pustules.
Commonly found in disturbed areas associated with agricultural activities (such as cotton, soybean, grain sorghum or other crops), on roadsides or in wastelands; usually associated with grasses (such as Cynodon dactylon, danthonia [Rytidosperma spp.] and needle-grasses [Austrostipa spp.]), or in disturbed open woodland with herbs (such as Portulaca oleracea); recorded as growing in black, brown or grey clay, red clay loam, or brown or grey sand; recorded landscapes are undulating country, often associated with road, river or irrigation channel embankments.
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