Hibiscus aphelus Craven, F.D.Wilson & Fryxell

Species

Angiosperms > Malvales > Malvaceae > Hibiscus

Characteristics

Shrub 1–3 m high. Branchlets with stellate hairs (one or two size classes, usually fine throughout and sometimes scattered coarse hairs present, the fine hairs 0.05–0.1 mm long, the coarse hairs 0.15–0.2 mm long) and glandular hairs. Stipules narrowly triangular to triangular, 0.75–1.25 mm long, later caducous or ± persistent. Climax leaves: petiole 10–40 (–65) mm long, indumentum similar to that of branchlet; lamina ovate to broadly ovate (proximal mid-stem leaves of cultivated plants ± circular), unlobed (proximal mid-stem leaves of cultivated plants are shallowly 3-lobed; lamina or lobes with apex obtuse, acute or obtusely acuminate), 50–110 mm long, 35–85 mm wide, cuneate to truncate base, subentire or serrate margin, concolorous, the indumentum generally similar on both surfaces or denser on the abaxial surface, the abaxial surface with the midrib and primary vein indumentum similar to the interveinal regions, with stellate hairs (moderately dense to very dense, the hairs fine, or fine to coarse, the fine hairs 0.05–0.15 mm long, the coarse hairs 0.1–0.2 mm long) and glandular hairs. Distal leaves reduced in size, narrowly or broadly ovate. Foliar nectary at lamina base, 10–15 mm long. Flowers solitary in leaf axils or sympodial in few-to several-flowered terminal and/or distal axillary racemoid axes, not pedunculate; pedicel 5–15 mm long (accrescent to 8–60 mm in mature fruit), with very dense and fine stellate hairs; epicalyx with stellate hairs, 9-segmented, the segments free at the base, straight, broadly subulate or triangular, 0.05–0.1 times the length of the calyx, 1–2 mm long (epicalyx is very much reduced and is sometimes caducous), obscurely 1-veined; calyx at anthesis 15–20 mm long, the indumentum whitish or yellowish, with very dense fine stellate hairs, calyx nectaries absent; petals 45–60 mm long, pink with proximal region reddish; staminal column c. 16 mm long, stamens distributed throughout, filaments 1–2 mm long; style exserted 3–4 mm beyond the apex of the staminal column, the branches 2–3 mm long, stigmas capitate, hairs absent to 0.1 mm long. Capsule ovoid, 14–16 mm long, densely hairy (except for the beak), the simple hairs not appressed (disposed at c. 60-degree angle to the surface of the capsule), with a background of fine stellate hairs; beak conspicuous, 1–2 mm long, glabrous. Seeds angular-reniform, c. 5 mm long, striate, with minute pectinate scales.
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Growth form shrub
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Foliage retention deciduous
Sexuality hermaphrodite
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Mature height (meter) 1.0 - 3.0
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Environment

Grows in gravelly and rocky soil, grey sand over sandstone; on cliffs and rocky slopes, by streams and pools.
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Usage

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Edible -
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Cultivation

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Germination treatment soaking
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Distribution

Hibiscus aphelus world distribution map, present in Australia

Identifiers

LSID urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:20012619-1
WFO ID wfo-0000722282
COL ID 3LJFQ
BDTFX ID -
INPN ID -
Wikipedia (EN)
Wikipedia (FR)

Synonyms

Hibiscus aphelus