flower of an hour
Family
MalvaceaeScientific Name
Hibiscus trionumOther Common Names:
Venice mallow
bladder ketmia
modesty
rose mallow
shoo-fly
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Trionum trionum
Leaves
Leaves: Alternately arranged along the stem and are approximately 3 inches wide and long. Leaves are divided into at least 3 distinct lobes, but may be divided into as many as 7 lobes. All lobes have margins that are toothed. All leaves occur on long petioles and are without hairs (glabrous) on the upper surface and have hairs on the lower surface.
Stems: Erect, hairy, and branching from the base.
Roots: A shallow taproot and a fibrous root system
Identifying Characteristics
A summer annual with divided leaves and showy yellow and purple flowers.The lobed leaves, membranous sepals that resemble a bladder, and yellow and purple flowers are all characteristics that help in the identification of Venice mallow.
Flower Seed Head
Arise from the position between the stem and leaf petioles (leaf axils). Flowers consist of 5 petals that are pale yellow to white in color with a purple base. The 5 sepals resemble a membranous bladder with distinctive dark green veins.
Seed Fruit
Cotyledons are round and occur on long hairy petioles. First true leaves are alternate and irregularly shaped with a toothed margins. All subsequent leaves are lobed at least 3 times. fruit is A round, hairy capsule that is surrounded by the sepals.
Where Found
Venice mallow is primarily a weed of agronomic and nursery crops that is found throughout the eastern half of the United States.
Growth Habit
Varies:
upright and nonwoody,
prostrate and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
Varies:
dime,
nickle,
quarter,
half dollar
Dominant Flower Color
Varies:
white,
yellow,
purple
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
has hairs
Leaf Shape
Varies:
round,
spatulate,
triangle
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
Varies:
lobed,
serrated
Leaf Structure
palmate
Leaf Stalk
Varies:
shorter than leaf,
longer than leaf
Stem Hairs
has hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
taproot
Life Cycle
summer annual
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb