Halberd-leaved Rosemallow (Hibiscus laevis)
- Family: Mallow (Malvaceae)
- Flowering: July-September.
- Field Marks: This large-flowered rosemallow has some
of its leaves lobed near the base.
- Habitat: Along streams, around ponds and lakes, in
sloughs, roadside ditches, sometimes in shallow standing water.
- Habit: Robust perennial herb.
- Stems: Erect, unbranched, smooth to hairy, up to 6
feet tall.
- Leaves: Alternate, simple, ovate, pointed at the tip,
sometimes with a pair of lobes at the base, toothed, hairy on the
lower surface, up to 10 inches long.
- Flowers: Solitary from the axils of the leaves,
usually white with a dark rose center, up to 4 inches long, borne
on a stalk up to 6 inches long.
- Sepals: 5, green.
- Petals: 5, white with a dark rose base, free from
each other.
- Stamens: Numerous, attached to a central column in
the flower.
- Pistils: Ovary superior; stigmas 5, protruding from
the central column in the flower.
- Fruits: Capsule ovoid, containing many seeds.
- Notes: This species used to be known as H.
militaris. The seeds are eaten by waterfowl and bobwhite
quail.
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