NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details
Hibiscus laevis [= Hibiscus militaris]
Smooth Rose-mallow, Halberd-leaved Marsh-mallow, Showy Hibiscus
Scientific Name: |
Hibiscus laevis [= Hibiscus militaris] |
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Genus: |
Hibiscus |
Species Epithet: |
laevis |
Common Name: |
Smooth Rose-mallow, Halberd-leaved Marsh-mallow, Showy Hibiscus |
Plant Type |
Herb/Wildflower |
Life Cycle |
Perennial |
Plant Family |
Malvaceae (Mallow Family) |
Native/Alien: |
NC Native |
Invasive Status: |
(*Key) |
Size: |
3-6 ft. |
Bloom Color(s): |
White, Pink |
Light: |
Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day |
Soil Moisture: |
Wet |
Bloom Time: |
June, July, August |
Growing Area: |
Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain |
Habitat Description: |
Freshwater marshes, exposed riverbanks, sandbars. Uncommon over most of the NC Coastal Plain, but fairly common to locally common in brownwater river floodplains (Roanoke, Tar, and Cape Fear rivers). Very rare in the Piedmont portion of the range. |
Leaf Arrangement: |
Alternate |
Leaf Retention: |
Deciduous |
Leaf Type: |
Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like |
Leaf Form: |
Simple |
Life Cycle: |
Perennial |
Wildlife Value: |
Important for Wildlife |
Landscape Value: |
Suitable for home landscapes |
State Rank: |
S2: Imperiled, S3: Vulnerable, S4: Apparently secure (*Key) |
Global Rank: |
G5 - Secure (*Key) |
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The large and showy flowers occur singly in upper leaf axils. The petals are pale pink to white with a rose-colored center. Travis County, FL
Alison Northup |
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The alternate leaves are large and mostly halberd-shaped, on long petioles unlike H. moscheutos whose leaves are ovate. Travis County, FL
Alison Northup |
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The fruit is a capsule. Travis County, FL
Alison Northup |
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Links: |
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![The Scientific Name is Hibiscus laevis [= Hibiscus militaris]. You will likely hear them called Smooth Rose-mallow, Halberd-leaved Marsh-mallow, Showy Hibiscus. This picture shows the The large and showy flowers occur singly in upper leaf axils. The petals are pale pink to white with a rose-colored center. of Hibiscus laevis [= Hibiscus militaris]](https://ncwildflower.org/images/plants/Hibiscus_laevis_1_AN.jpeg "The large and showy flowers occur singly in upper leaf axils. The petals are pale pink to white with a rose-colored center. of Hibiscus laevis [= Hibiscus militaris]")
![The Scientific Name is Hibiscus laevis [= Hibiscus militaris]. You will likely hear them called Smooth Rose-mallow, Halberd-leaved Marsh-mallow, Showy Hibiscus. This picture shows the The alternate leaves are large and mostly halberd-shaped, on long petioles unlike <em>H. moscheutos </em>whose leaves are ovate. of Hibiscus laevis [= Hibiscus militaris]](https://ncwildflower.org/images/plants/Hibiscus_laevis_2_AN.jpeg "The alternate leaves are large and mostly halberd-shaped, on long petioles unlike <em>H. moscheutos </em>whose leaves are ovate. of Hibiscus laevis [= Hibiscus militaris]")
![The Scientific Name is Hibiscus laevis [= Hibiscus militaris]. You will likely hear them called Smooth Rose-mallow, Halberd-leaved Marsh-mallow, Showy Hibiscus. This picture shows the The fruit is a capsule. of Hibiscus laevis [= Hibiscus militaris]](https://ncwildflower.org/images/plants/Hibiscus_laevis_3_AN.jpeg "The fruit is a capsule. of Hibiscus laevis [= Hibiscus militaris]")
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