Hibiscus

Hibiscus {{{latin_name}}}	Hibiscus
	Habit: Bush Height: ⇕ Width: ⇔ Lifespan: ⌛ Most are Perennial Origin: ✈ {{{origin}}} Poisonous: ☠ {{{poisonous}}}	Exposure: ☼ Sun, Indoors Water: ◍ regular to dry Features: ✓ Flowers Hardiness: ☃ Frost sensitive Bloom: ❀ {{{bloom}}} USDA Zones: varies by species Sunset Zones: varies by species
	[[{{{domain}}}]] > [[{{{superregnum}}}]] > Plantae > [[{{{subregnum}}}]] > [[{{{superdivisio}}}]] > [[{{{superphylum}}}]] > [[{{{divisio}}}]] > [[{{{phylum}}}]] > [[{{{subdivisio}}}]] > [[{{{subphylum}}}]] > [[{{{infraphylum}}}]] > [[{{{microphylum}}}]] > [[{{{nanophylum}}}]] > [[{{{superclassis}}}]] > [[{{{classis}}}]] > [[{{{subclassis}}}]] > [[{{{infraclassis}}}]] > [[{{{superordo}}}]] > Malvales > [[{{{subordo}}}]] > [[{{{infraordo}}}]] > [[{{{superfamilia}}}]] > Malvaceae > [[{{{subfamilia}}}]] > [[{{{supertribus}}}]] > [[{{{tribus}}}]] > [[{{{subtribus}}}]] > Hibiscus {{{subgenus}}} {{{sectio}}} {{{series}}} {{{species}}} {{{subspecies}}} var. {{{cultivar}}}

Hibiscus, or rosemallow, is a large genus of about 200–220 species of flowering plants native to warm, temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. The genus includes both annual and perennial herbaceous plants, and woody shrubs and small trees.

The leaves are alternate, simple, ovate to lanceolate, often with a toothed or lobed margin. The flowers are large, conspicuous, trumpet-shaped, with five or more petals, ranging from white to pink, red, purple or yellow, and from 4-15 cm broad. The fruit is a dry five-lobed capsule, containing several seeds in each lobe, which are released when the capsule splits open at maturity.

Care

Hibiscus flowers need to be taken care of in warm temperatures. They bloom best with temperatures ranging from 60 to 90 degrees. The hibiscus needs to be watered carefully. Make sure you do not overflood the roots. Keep a steady flow of water for the plant in warm weather. In colder weather, only water the plant if it looks dry. Hibiscus needs to be fed plant food. Try to keep all insects and pests away so the flower does not get ruined. If you are potting your flower, make sure the pot has plenty of drainage.

Propagation

Mainly by rooting cuttings.

Pests and diseases

Whitefly, aphids, scales, etc. Hibiscus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Chionodes hibiscella, Hypercompe hambletoni, the Nutmeg moth, and the Turnip Moth.

Species

In temperate zones, probably the most commonly grown ornamental species is Hibiscus syriacus, the common garden Hibiscus, also known in some areas as the "Rose of Althea" or "Rose of Sharon" (but not to be confused with the unrelated Hypericum calycinum, also called "Rose of Sharon"). In tropical and subtropical areas, the Chinese hibiscus (H. rosa-sinensis), with its many showy hybrids, is the most popular hibiscus.

About 200-220 species are known, including:

• Hibiscus acetosella
• Hibiscus arnottianus - Koki'o 'ula
• Hibiscus brackenridgei - Ma'o hau hele
• Hibiscus calyphyllus
• Hibiscus cameronii
• Hibiscus cannabinus - Kenaf
• Hibiscus cisplatinus
• Hibiscus clayi - Hawaiian hibiscus (red)
• Hibiscus coccineus
• Hibiscus dasycalyx - Neches River rose-mallow
• Hibiscus denudatus - Pale face
• Hibiscus diversifolius
• Hibiscus elatus
• Hibiscus fragilis - Mandrinette
• Hibiscus furcellatus - 'Akiohala
• Hibiscus fuscus
• Hibiscus grandiflorus
• Hibiscus coccineus
• Hibiscus hamabo
• Hibiscus hastatus
• Hibiscus heterophyllus
• Hibiscus indicus
• Hibiscus insularis - Phillip Island Hibiscus

A white Hibiscus arnottianus in Hawaii.

A red Hibiscus of Kerala
(Hibiscus rosa-sinensis).

• Hibiscus laevis - Halberd-leaved rosemallow
• Hibiscus lasiocarpos
• Hibiscus lavaterioides
• Hibiscus ludwigii
• Hibiscus macrophyllus
• Hibiscus militaris - Syn. of Hibiscus laevis
• Hibiscus moscheutos - Swamp Rose-mallow
• Hibiscus mutabilis - Cotton rosemallow
• Hibiscus paramutabilis
• Hibiscus pedunculatus
• Hibiscus platanifolius
• Hibiscus radiatus
• Hibiscus rosa-sinensis - Chinese hibiscus
• Hibiscus sabdariffa - Roselle or Omutete or Sorrel
• Hibiscus schizopetalus
• Hibiscus scottii
• Hibiscus sinosyriacus
• Hibiscus syriacus - Hibiscus
• Hibiscus tiliaceus - Hau
• Hibiscus trionum - Flower-of-an-Hour
• Hibiscus waimeae - Koki'o ke'oke'o

Gallery

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  At left, a flower emerges from a bud. At right, the same flower less than 18 hours later.
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  A hibiscus, showing pistil and stamens