Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
|---|---|
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A woody shrub, growing to 1-5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are orbicular to broadly obovate to cordate shaped, undersides of leaves are densely hairy while uppersides of leaves are sparsely and minutely hairy. Leaf blade has 5-7 veins, with cordate base and abruptly acuminate apex; margin irregularly crenate. Stipules are foliaceous, oblong-ovate in shape, measuring about 1 cm and deciduous. |
| Stems | Younger stems are softly pubescent. |
| Flowers | Flowers are solitary, appearing on leaf axils. Flowers are showy, yellow which turns orange-red with dark red spots in the centre; measuring 5-12 cm in diameter; obovate petals. |
| Fruit | Capsule, ovoid shaped, measuring from 2.5 to 3.5 cm, covered with dense brownish hairs. Seeds are kidney-shaped (reniform), around 4.5 mm. |
| Habitat | Found on coastal sands near sea level. |
| Etymology | The genus Hibiscus is an old Greek name from Virgil, hibiscum for marsh mallow plant. The specific epithet hamabo means from Hama, Syria. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Obovate, Orbicular / Round, Cordate) |
| Foliar Venation | Recticulate |
| Foliar Margin | Crenate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Cordate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Flower Transitional Changes | Colour |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32547 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6959 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
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