Scientific Name
Hibiscus asper Hook.f.
Common Name(s)
Bush Roselle
Synonym(s)
Hibiscus cordofanus, Hibiscus unidens, Hibiscus verrucosus, Ketmia glandulosa
Scientific Classification
Family: Malvaceae
Tribe: Hibisceae
Genus: Hibiscus
Flower
Color: Pale yellow
Bloom Time: Late summer or fall
Description
Hibiscus asper is a perennial herb that grows up to 6.6 feet (2 m) tall. Stems have fine prickles and simple or stellate hairs. Leaves are green with 2-fid stellate hairs on ribs and veins. Flowers are pale yellow with a red-purple base and up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter. This species was and sometimes still is considered conspecific with Hibiscus cannabinus.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 8a to 11b: from 10 °F (−12.2 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Hibiscus should be moved outside in the summer, then back inside during the winter. Tips for a successful transition include: Trim the plant hard before moving it inside for the winter. It will go into near dormancy until late winter; After you trim it, before bringing it in, treat it thoroughly for insects. Neem oil and liquid detergent work well, or use a hose to blast off insects; Once inside, don't overwater, but provide as much humidity as possible, including daily mistings. Don't expose to blowing air from vents; When the weather warms above 50ºF (10ºC) at night, move it back outside and acclimate slowly.
Repot as necessary, yearly or biannually. Hibiscus will grow into trees in their native habitats, but this may be unwieldy in a home setting. There's also some benefit to keeping the Hibiscus in a relatively smaller pot, as it will make for easier pruning and moving. Failure to repot these plants often can leave them in soil without adequate nutrients for their survival, and repotting will often spur growth if you're finding that your Hibiscus plants seem to have stalled out. Watch out for falling leaves or other signs of stress.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Hibiscus.
Origin
This species is widely distributed throughout tropical Africa and Madagascar.
Links
- Back to genus Hibiscus
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
Photo Gallery
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