Marcus, Joseph A.
Hibiscus laevis All.
Halberdleaf rosemallow, Halberdleaf hibiscus, Scarlet rose mallow
Malvaceae (Mallow Family)
The halberd-leaved rose mallow grows to 6 feet tall with erect stems and leaves. The leaves are
alternate and prominently lobed at the base, the lobes wide-spreading and sharp-toothed. Flowers bloom from the axils of the leaves, from the bottom to the top of the stem. The large cup-shaped blossoms, about 3 inches long, are pink, sometimes white, with maroon or purple throats. The 5 overlapping petals open by day and close tightly at night .
Image Gallery:
24 photo(s) available
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , MD , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV , WI , DC
Native Distribution: Moist low-lying areas from North Central Texas to the Edwards Plateau.
Native Habitat: Marshes
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Acid-based, Calcareous
Conditions Comments: The beautiful rose mallow attracts butterflies with its showy blossoms. This plant is related to okra; it has a gummy, slimy sap. Other members of the mallow family produce the
sap that, when whipped with sugar, was the origin of our marshmallow candy. Scarlet rose mallow is good for wetland gardens and habitat.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Perennial garden, Bog or pond area, Showy, Blooms ornamental
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes
2008-06-18
