1. K. Virgínica, Gray. Roughish-hairy perennial (2–4° high); leaves halberd-shaped and heart-shaped, the lower 3-lobed; corolla 2´ wide, rose-color; column slender.—Marshes on the coast, N. Y. and southward. Aug.
11. HIBÍSCUS, L. Rose-Mallow.
Calyx involucellate at the base by a row of numerous bractlets, 5-cleft. Column of stamens long, bearing anthers for much of its length. Styles united, stigmas 5, capitate. Fruit a 5-celled loculicidal pod. Seeds several or many in each cell.—Herbs or shrubs, usually with large and showy flowers. (An old Greek and Latin name of unknown meaning.)
[*] Indigenous tall perennials (4–8° high), flowering late in summer.
1. H. Moscheùtos, L. (Swamp Rose-Mallow.) Leaves ovate, pointed, toothed, the lower 3-lobed, the uppermost oblong-lanceolate, all whitened underneath with a fine soft down, glabrous or slightly downy above; the 1-flowered peduncles sometimes united at the base with the petioles; bractlets not hairy; calyx not inflated; pod and seeds smooth or nearly so.—Brackish marshes along the coast, from E. Mass. southward, and lake shores and swamps westward to Ill. and Mo., especially within the influence of salt springs.—Corolla 5–6´ in diameter, light rose-color or white, with or without a crimson eye.
2. H. lasiocárpus, Cav. Leaves soft-downy both sides, the lower broadly ovate and heart-shaped; bractlets ciliate; pod hirsute;—otherwise resembling the last. (H. grandiflorus, Michx.)—Ind. to Mo., and southward.
3. H. militàris, Cav. (Halberd-Leaved R.) Smooth throughout; lower leaves ovate-heart-shaped, toothed, 3-lobed; upper leaves halberd-form, the short lateral lobes spreading at the base, the middle one prolonged and taper-pointed; peduncles slender; fruiting calyx inflated; seeds hairy.—River-banks, Penn. to Minn., and southward.—Corolla 2–3´ long, flesh-color with purple base.
[*][*] Escaped from gardens or grounds.
H. Triònum, L. (Bladder Ketmia.) A low, rather hairy annual; upper leaves 3-parted, with lanceolate divisions, the middle one much the longest; fruiting calyx inflated, membranaceous, 5-winged; corolla sulphur-yellow with a blackish eye, ephemeral; hence the name flower-of-an-hour. (Adv. from Eu.)
H. Syrìacus, L. (Shrubby Althæa of gardeners.) Tall shrub, smooth; leaves wedge-ovate, pointed, cut-toothed or lobed; corolla usually rose-color.—Escaped rarely from cultivation, Penn., etc. Sept. (Adv. from Eu.)