It is native to the southern coast of South Africa, and produces bright yellow flowers, which bloom and die over the course of a single day.

Pavonia praemorsa is a species of flowering shrub in the mallow family;[3] it is commonly referred to as yellow mallow,[4] and sometimes as yellow pavonia, shell flower,[5] and butter bits.

[6] Its epithet, praemorsa, originates from a Latin word meaning "appearing to have been bitten off", in reference to the shape of its leaves' tips.

It is categorized as a least-concern species according to the Red List of South African Plants.

The plant has a tough, thin stem, leathery leaves, and a capsular fruit.