A friend gave my wife and me seeds for this rare native hibiscus. The flower is about the size of a quarter. It produces eight fuzzy seeds under each flower. Very leggy little plant but hardy and -- as I hope you agree -- has outstanding color. We have tried to find a definite species name but no one from Kaua`i to the Big Island is certain. Would appreciate knowing if you come up with something on that. Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka
I actually came across this website online this morning...
https://www.worldplants.com/hibiscus.htm
It lists a rare native Hawai'ian Hibiscus. Here's a site in Japanese but it has pictures. It kinda looks like the one in your picture, but I can't be sure.
http://www.geocities.co.jp/HeartLand-Oak/2502/genshu/hibi-saint.html
Hope this helps, if not, then I atleast learned something new today.
Jess
Looks like one of the section Bombicella, maybe micranthus or cardiophyllus. Here you have a link
http://www.malvaceae.info/Genera/Hibiscus/galleryB.html
None of them is native to Hawaii.
Regards
Carlos
Here is a link to the heartleaf hibiscus. That's what I thought of when I first saw your plant, but I'm terrible with ID. http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/80842/index.html
Thank you Calalily, Carlo05 and jessmerritt,
Of the finds, I think Hibiscus cardiophyllus may be closest to what I see in my back yard. The heartleaf mallow is close in the flower but very different in the leaf. My little stalwart is also very leggy while the mallow looks positively bushy though the flower is quite similar. Hmmm.
This inquiry has certainly established the friendliness, interest and helpfulness of DavesGarden folks and it is wonderful to be a part. Thank you again,
Aloha, Hawai`i Bill
Take a look at the National Tropical Botanical Garden Website. They have a comprehensive listing of endemic Hawaiian plants. Most of the listings include photographs, which might help identify your plant. By the way the NTBG has three gardens open to the public in Hawai'i. Three are on Kau'i (Limahuli, Allerton and McBride) and one is located on the Island of Hawai'i (Kahanu). Good Luck on your search.
