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Hibiscus laevis

This plant is not currently for sale.  This is an archive page preserved for informational use.  

The Halberdleaf Rosemallow is a big (3-6 feet), wet-loving herbacious perennial found in a few coastal and piedmont counties in NC but which is much more common in the Mississippi River valley and midwestern states. The plant consists of several glabrous, round, largely unbranched stems rising from the crown, with beautiful 5-inch blooms that are white to pale pink with a deep maroon throat, and a prominent central stalk bearing both male and female parts. Flowers open daily from below to above, blooming from mid-summer to fall, supporting hummers, bees and insects of many types. The common name refers to the presence of halberd-, or dagger- shaped 3-lobed leaves alternately arranged on the stem. Like the other Hibiscus’ which are found in wet places, these plants thrive in moist well drained upland gardens in full sun.

Key Info

Scientific Name: Hibiscus laevis All.
Common Names: Halberdleaf Rosemallow, Smooth Rosemallow, Halberd-leaved Marsh-mallow, Showy Hibiscus
Family Names:
Plant Type:
Light Requirement: ,
Moisture Requirement: ,
Bloom Times: , ,
Flower Color: White, Pink/rose
Special Characteristics: , , , ,

Additional Info

Habit: Halberdleaf Rosemallow has many smooth, round upright stems emerging from a central crown (no basal rosette), and a tap root. Texture is coarse. This plant spreads by seed.
Height: 3'-6'
Spread: 4'
Soil Conditions: Moist well drained to wet, acid, sandy loam, loam, clay loam, clay, adapted to fine, low oxygen soils.
Leaves: The leaves are alternately arranged, the blades up to 6" long and 4" across, usually divided into 3-5 pointed lobes with serrated margins and long, slender petioles. Leaves with 3 lobes resemble a medieval halberd (dagger) because the middle lobe is much longer than the 2 lateral lobes. Leaves with 5 lobes have the shape of a maple leaf. Leaves of Halberdleaf Rosemallow are glabrous.
Flowers (or reproductive structures: Flowers are solitary in upper leaf axils, with 5 delicate white to pink petals 3 inches long with deep maroon at the base, and prominent reproductive column of whorled male and female parts. Flowers open daily, from the lower to higher nodes for about a month in midsummer.
Fruit: From August to October, large, roundish green seed pods ripen into brown papery capsules containing many BB-sized seeds. These are densely covered with stiff, white to reddish brown hairs (a diagnostic character).
Natural Distribution: Wet meadows, freshwater marshes, exposed riverbanks, sandbars. Halberdleaf Rosemallow is not much found in disturbed areas.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: OBL
Pollination: Bees, butterflies, other insects.
Wildlife Connections: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract hummingbirds and various bees. Caterpillars of the Gray Hairstreak butterfly feed on the flower buds and developing seeds; caterpillars of the Painted Lady and Checkered Skipper butterflies feed on the foliage. Larvae of such moths as Pearly Wood Nymph, Yellow Scallop Moth, Io Moth, and Delightful Bird-Dropping Moth (!) also feed on these plants. Illinoiswildflowers.info lists other flies and beetles and reminds us that cattle and deer will feed on the foliage. Also, seeds of this plant are eaten by waterfowl and bobwhite quail.
Propagation: Halberdleaf Rosemallow is grown easily from seed.