Woolly Rose Mallow (Hibiscus lasiocarpos var. occidentalis)

Hibiscus lasiocarpos (also, H. lasiocarpus orth. var. ) is a species of hibiscus known by the common name hairy-fruited hibiscus. It is also one of several hibiscus called rosemallow. It is native to much of the southeastern United States, as well as parts of California and northern Mexico. It is a large, bushy perennial herb with sprawling stems reaching one to two meters long. The leaves are heart-shaped, toothed, and pointed, and generally between 6 and 10 centimeters long. The inflorescence holds large showy, solitary flowers. Each flower has a cup of partly fused sepals beneath a layer of slender bracts. These may be covered in hairs or woolly fibers. The flower's large petals may be up to 10 centimeters long and are generally bright white with red bases. The stamen tube and anthers are white or cream. The fruit is a capsule 2. 5-3 centimeters long containing spherical seeds. Description from Calscape.

Growers: Nature's Seed

Other Names Used: Rose Mallow

Family: Malvaceae

Life Cycle: Perennial 

Plant Type: Shrub

Sun Exposure: Full

Bloom Period: Summer, Fall

Bloom Color(s): White, Red, Yellow

Plant Height: 3-7 feet tall

Plant Width:4-5 feet wide

California Regions:

• Central Valley

Ecological Benefits:

• Attracts pollinators, birds, wildlife

Ecological Functions:

• Grows in Containers

Habitat Type:

• Freshwater Marsh
• Wetland  
• Riparian

Human Uses/Cautions: Seeds edible

Skill Level: Beginner

Seed Pretreatment: None