A shrub or small tree. Leaves broadly ovate to suborbicular, 6-16 cm long and broad, stellate tomentose on both sides, deeply cordate, serrate, 3-5-lobed, lobes acute-acuminate; petiole 4-18 cm long, patent hairy. Inflorescence an axillary cyme, peduncle 5-8 cm long, tomentose. Flowers pinkish, 2-3 cm across; pedicel 1.5-2.5 cm long, tomentose; bracts 3, ovate, c. 1 cm long, c. 5-6 mm broad, acuminate, caducous. Sepals linear-lanceolate, 1-1.5 cm long, 3-4 mm broad, pubescent outside, persistent. Petals oblique-obovate, 1.5-2 cm long, 1-1.5 cm broad. Fertile stamens 8-10 mm long, staminodes 1-1.5 cm long. Carpels 5; ovary oblong, densely villous; style as long as staminodes; stigmas 5, recurved-coiled. Fruit oblong, pentagonal, 5-8 cm long, 3-4 mm broad, densely villous.

Fl.Per.: November January.

Type: Described from Mascarene (MA).

Distribution: Indigenous to Mascarene Isles; introduced in Pakistan, India and U.S.A. etc.

A beautiful garden perennial grown for its large, pink flowers.