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Hibiscus coccineus Walter
| Family Name: | Malvaceae |
| Common Name: | Scarlet Rose Mallow, Texas star hibiscus, 红秋葵 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southeastern USA |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Mountain, Coastal Forest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Erect, woody perennial shrub, able to grow up to about 1 - 2 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves measuring about 12 - 14 cm long, divided palmately into 3 - 7 finger-like lobes, serrated along the margins. |
| Flowers | Crimson red flowers, 5-petaled, measuring about 2.4 - 3.2 cm wide, funnel-shaped and found in upper leaf axils of the plant. |
| Habitat | Can be found in marshes and swamps in Alabama, Georgia and Florida. |
| Etymology | Genus Hibiscus is from the Greek word hibiskos which Roman poet Virgil used to relate to the marsh mallow plant. Species coccineus means crimson or scarlet. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Wildflower Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly-Attracting (Flower Nectar) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting, Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Rough |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Palmate) |
| Foliar Margin | Palmately Lobed |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary, Terminal |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31237 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5632 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
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