What are stellate hairs on Malvaceae plants?

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Baobab — Malvales A fony baobab tree (*Adansonia rubrostipa*), estimated to be more than 1,000 years old, in Madagascar.

Stellate hairs are a type of multicellular hair found on members of the Malvaceae family, which belongs to the order Malvales. These hairs are star-shaped, and they are a key diagnostic feature used by botanists to identify these plants, even when they are not in bloom or are otherwise sterile.123

In addition to being stellate, these multicellular hairs can also be scalelike. They are commonly found on various parts of the plant, including the surfaces of the seeds and the inside walls of the fruit.231