Filters
Halberd-leaved rose-mallow is a striking wild hibiscus, usually found near water, whose stems can get 6' tall. Flowers arise from leaf axils, are trumpet-shaped, up to 5" across, with five rounded, partially overlapping white to pink petals; a central columnar reproductive structure covered in creamy-white stamens (with reddish-tan anthers) in whorls, and a terminal divided style with five recurved tips, each bearing a stigma shaped like the head of a pin. Behind the corolla is a green calyx with five lobes, and ~12 rod-like, curved, green bractlets below the calyx that taper to sharp points. The throat of the flower is a deep reddish-purple or rose pink. Seed pods form within the persistant sepals; the seed pod is divided into five sections filled with fuzzy brown seeds. The three-lobed (halberd-shaped) or five-lobed (maple leaf shaped) leaves distinguish this species from other rose-mallows. (Only swamp rose-mallow, Hibiscus moscheutos, also occurs in Jackson Park.)

Hibiscus

Hibiscus laevis

halberd-leaved rose-mallow [Blooms: Jul-Aug]

Swamp rose-mallow is a wild hibiscus that prefers wet habitats; the stem can get up to 7' tall. Flowers arise from leaf axils and are trumpet-shaped, 4-6" across with five pink or white petals (sometimes with a reddish-purple throat); and, in the center of the flower, a stout cream colored column that bears both whorls of white stamens with yellow anthers and a white style divided into five upcurving parts, each with a pin-head shaped stigma. Behind the corolla are five light green sepals and 12 awl-like 1" long bracts that curve forwards. This is the more variable of the two local rose mallows; it has white or pink flowers which may or may not have a reddish-purple throat (all are now considered the same species).

Hibiscus

Hibiscus moscheutos

swamp rose-mallow [Blooms: Jul-Aug]

Flower-of-an-hour flowers are borne singly on hairy flower stalks that arise from the leaf axils; the flowers are 2" across, with five partially-overlapping petals that are white or pale yellow with deep purple bases. Sepals are pale green, translucent, and membranous with deep purple, hairy veins. The numerous stamens are borne on a "staminal column" that surrounds the base of the style; the filaments are maroon and the anthers are golden yellow. The single style is white where it rises above the staminal column and is divided at the tip into five knobby stigmas.

Hibiscus

Hibiscus trionum

flower-of-an-hour [Blooms: Jul-Sep]