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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]