Hibiscus cannabinus
Selected images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record View all images (20)
Photo: Bart Wursten
Plateau above Nhagutua Gorge, Gorongosa National Park, Cheringoma
Photo: Bart Wursten
Plateau above Nhagutua Gorge, Gorongosa National Park, Cheringoma
Photo: Bart Wursten
Plateau above Nhagutua Gorge, Gorongosa National Park, Cheringoma
Photo: Bart Wursten
Plateau above Nhagutua Gorge, Gorongosa National Park, Cheringoma
Photo: Bart Wursten
Lake Urema Floodplain Edge, Gorongosa National Park
Photo: Bart Wursten
Lake Urema Floodplain Edge, Gorongosa National Park
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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)
| Synonyms: |
Hibiscus henriquesii P. Lima |
| Common names: | Decan hemp (English) Kenaf (English) Wild stockrose (English) |
| Frequency: | Common |
| Status: | Native |
| Description: |
Annual, usually unbranched, herb to 2 m. Stems aculeate with small, rather sparse, prickles usually pointing upwards, otherwise nearly glabrous or with a longitudinal line of crisped pubescence. Leaves: petiole up to 22 cm; lamina up to 15 × 15 cm, usually subcircular in outline, 3-7-palmately lobed, the segments usually narrowly elliptic to linear (occasionally broader), scaberulous or almost glabrous with a few minute prickles on the nerves, usually with a prominent gland on the under surface near the base of the midrib; margin serrate or dentate. Flowers up to 10 cm in diameter, white, greyish or pale yellow, with dark purple centre. Epicalyx of 7-8 bracts; each up to 18 mm, linear. Calyx up to 25 mm, setose, 10-nerved; lobes acuminate or long-acuminate; gland on midrib of calyx lobe conspicuous, usually at least 1.5 mm in diameter (rarely 0). Capsule up to 20 × 15 mm. Seeds minutely faveolate. |
| Type location: |
Probably of Indian origin |
| Notes: | Somewhat similar to Hibiscus nigricaulis and differing in the characters highlighted in the description. |
| Derivation of specific name: | |
| Habitat: | A weed of disturbed and arable places |
| Altitude range: (metres) | |
| Flowering time: | Nov - Apr |
| Worldwide distribution: | Widespread in the tropics and subtropics |
| FZ divisions: | N,Z,T,MS,GI,M |
| Growth form(s): | Annual. |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Images last updated: | Wednesday 29 June 2016 |
| Literature: |
Bandeira, S., Bolnick, D. & Barbosa, F. (2007). Wild Flowers of Southern Mozambique Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique Page 105. (Includes a picture). Baumann, G. (2005). Photographic Guide to Wildflowers of Malawi Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi Pages 96 - 97. (Includes a picture). Burrows, J.E. & Willis, C.K. (eds) (2005). Plants of the Nyika Plateau Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 31 SABONET, Pretoria Page 203. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 20. As Hibiscus asper Exell, A.W. (1961). Malvaceae Flora Zambesiaca 1(2) Pages 442 - 443. Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 282. (Includes a picture). Kirby, G. (2013). Wild Flowers of Southeast Botswana Struik Nature, Cape Town South Africa Page 200. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 60. Maquet, P. (1983). Malvaceae Flore du Rwanda Spermatophytes Volume II Page 381. Ntore, S. & al. (2024). Checklist of the vascular plants of Burundi Page 157. Pickering, H. & Roe, E. (2009). Wild Flowers of the Victoria Falls Area Helen Pickering, London Page 80. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 84. Siebert, S. & Mössmer, M. (Editors) (2002). SABONET Southern Mozambique Expedition 2001; Provisional Plant Checklist of the Maputo Elephant Reserve (MER) and Licuati Forest Reserve (LFR) SABONET News 7(1) Page 27. Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 218. Wild, H. (1955). Common Rhodesian Weeds Government of Rhodesia, Salisbury Page 41. (Includes a picture). |
Other sources of information about Hibiscus cannabinus:
Our websites:
Flora of Botswana: Hibiscus cannabinusFlora of Burundi: Hibiscus cannabinus
Flora of Caprivi: Hibiscus cannabinus
Flora of Malawi: Hibiscus cannabinus
Flora of Rwanda: Hibiscus cannabinus
Flora of Zambia: Hibiscus cannabinus
Flora of Zimbabwe: Hibiscus cannabinus
External websites:
African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Hibiscus cannabinusAfrican Plant Database: Hibiscus cannabinus
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Hibiscus cannabinus
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Hibiscus cannabinus
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Hibiscus cannabinus
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Hibiscus cannabinus
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Hibiscus cannabinus
JSTOR Plant Science: Hibiscus cannabinus
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Hibiscus cannabinus
Plants of the World Online: Hibiscus cannabinus
Tropicos: Hibiscus cannabinus
Wikipedia: Hibiscus cannabinus