A small shrub, with stellate tomentose young shoots. Leaves very broadly ovate, 5-7 cm long and broad, unlobed or sometimes obscurely 3-lobed, deep cordate at the base, acute-acuminate, serrate, subscabrous above, velvety beneath; petiole 2-10 cm long, hairy. Inflorescence an axillary, many-flowered, umbellate cyme; peduncle up to 5 cm long, densely patent hairy. Flowers white or pinkish-white, c. 2.5 cm across; pedicel 2-4 cm long, densely patent hairy, bracts 3, linear, c. 1 cm long, c. 2 mm broad. Sepals lanceolate, 1-1.5 cm long, 3-4 mm broad, persistent. Petals oblique, obovate, 1.2-1.5 cm long, 10-12 mm broad. Staminodes longer than the fertile stamens. Ovary oblong, densely villose. Capsule pentagonal, oblong, villous.

Fl. Per.: December-March.

Type: Described from a plant cultivated in the palm house at Kew and figured in Bot.Mag. t. 5639 (K).

Distribution: Tropical Africa. Cultivated in India and Pakistan etc.

A common garden perennial, cultivated in Sind and Punjab.