Home | > | List of families | > | Malvaceae subfamily Malvoideae | > | Hibiscus | > | ovalifolius |
Synonyms: |
Hibiscus calycinus Willd. Hibiscus calyphyllus Cav. Hibiscus wildii Suess. |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Shrub or perennial herb up to 3 m tall, but often a low-growing species in shade. Leaves subcircular in outline, usually 3-5-lobed, up to 12 × 12 cm, stellate-hairy, cordate at the base; margin serrate; petiole up to 9 cm long. Stipules filiform, up to 15 mm long. Flowers solitary, axillary, yellow, usually with a brown or dark red centre. Calyx up to 16 mm; lobes ovate to ovate-lanceolate, joined to nearly halfway. Epicalyx of 5 bracts; bracts up to 18 mm long, joined for 3-4 mm at the base, variable in shape but always broadest near the middle and narrowing suddenly to a long caudate tip. Petals up to 6 × 4.5 cm, obliquely ovate. Capsule ellipsoid. |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | ovalifolius: with oval (elliptic) leaves |
Habitat: | In various types of forest and in thickets and grassland |
Altitude range: | |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | Tropical and South Africa, Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands |
Mozambique distribution: | MS,GI,M |
Growth form(s): | Perennial, shrub over 2 m. |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Content last updated: | Saturday 20 April 2019 |
Literature: |
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. as Hibiscus calyphyllus Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 259. As Hibiscus calyphyllus Exell, A.W. (1961). Malvaceae Flora Zambesiaca 1(2) Pages 459 - 460. as H.calyphyllus Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 286. (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. |
Home | > | List of families | > | Malvaceae subfamily Malvoideae | > | Hibiscus | > | ovalifolius |