Karijini's Desert Rose
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325248)
Rockingham, Australia
October 22, 2020 3:12am CST
The photo shows one of the native wildflowers that were prevalent in Karijini National Park in West Australia’s north. It is known as Sturt’s desert rose, Gossypium sturtianum, and is a woody shrub, closely related to cultivated cotton. It is found in most states and is the floral emblem of the Northern Territory.
The large, hibiscus-like flowers range in colour from pale pink through to maroon. There are five petals and a dark red centre. Nectar-loving birds are attracted to the flowers.
The desert rose grows along dry creek beds, watercourses, gorges and rocky slopes on sandy and gravelly soils and is drought tolerant. The plants contain gossypol, which is a chemical that is toxic to animals other than ruminants.
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29 responses
I agree that it is a funny name, seems coming out from "gossip".
@changjiangzhibin89 (16517)
• China
22 Oct 20
The gossypol is an excellent contraceptive,but has too many side effects.They say it has certain therapeutic effects on some cancers.
2 people like this
@Sam_graphixer (2457)
• India
22 Oct 20
There is a medicine on this name . "Gossypium" . Does that medicine is made from this flower or something ?
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@Sam_graphixer (2457)
• India
22 Oct 20
@JudyEv no its not common . But i recently had this medicine so strike me instant
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@LindaOHio (155469)
• United States
23 Oct 20
@JudyEv Your photos are always lovely.
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@oahuwriter (26780)
• United States
26 Oct 20
@JudyEv
Just like the lotus, in the midst of its surrounding it blooms proudly & so delicately beautiful.
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@arunima25 (85265)
• Bangalore, India
23 Oct 20
It's a beautiful wild flower adding life and color to those desserted background. It's gorgeous. I love the color. I guess gossypol is also there in cultivated cotton and that's why many animals stay away from it.
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@Overflowing (3710)
•
22 Oct 20
its kinda cute and have some similarities on hibiscus..
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@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
22 Oct 20
what a beauty! ya 'd me hooked'n desirin' to see if'n i could grow one here. 'til i got to the end anyhow. the last thingy i need 'tis 'nother toxic plant growin' 'round these parts!
very interestin' such's related to cultivated cotton. 'lways fascinatin' to find the diff'rent species who're closely tied together.
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@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
23 Oct 20
@JudyEv ah now, i 'twas not put off, jest aint a good idea fer me to try to grow such. i'm still battlin' that silver nightshade 'n need nothin' else'n the property toxic. be my luck such'd love my place, go forth'n multiply. 'tis a beauty though!
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@1creekgirl (40384)
• United States
22 Oct 20
Strange that it's called a rose, but really pretty.
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@dgobucks226 (34300)
•
22 Oct 20
Pretty flower. A flower also found in Africa. The desert rose produces a sap in its roots and stems that contains cardiac glycosides. This sap is used as arrow poison for hunting large game throughout much of Africa and as a fish toxin. Thanks for arousing my interest to find out more about this flower 
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