How to identify Halberd-leaf rosemallow (Hibiscus laevis)

How to identify Halberd-leaf rosemallow (Hibiscus laevis)

Halberd-leaf rosemallow, also known as Halberd-leaved rose mallow, Halberdleaf Hibiscus, Smooth rose-mallow

Halberd-leaf rosemallow features glossy, hairless, spear-shaped leaves characteristic of its species. This perennial boasts large, showy flowers with five creamy-white to pink petals surrounding a prominent, columnar staminal tube. It typically reaches heights of 3-7 feet (about 0.9-2.1 meters), and its flower diameter spans approximately 4-8 inches (10-20 cm). The plant flourishes in full sun, displaying flowers from mid-summer to early fall.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Halberd-leaf rosemallow

Large, showy flowers with creamy-white to pink petals

Leaves are spear-shaped, glossy, and hairless

Fruit is an elongated capsule with a fine, hairy texture

Stem is terete, smooth, and green with upright growth

Cup-shaped flowers with prominent stamens and varied colors

Detailed Traits of Halberd-leaf rosemallow

Leaf Features

The leaves of halberd-leaf rosemallow feature a simple, alternate arrangement and are predominantly green. They measure up to 6 inches (15 cm) long and 4 inches (10 cm) across, presenting a smooth texture. Typically, they are 3-lobed, resembling the shape of an old-fashioned halberd spear, but can also vary from 3-5 lobed or remain unlobed. The margins of the leaves are serrate-crenate, adding to their distinct appearance.

Leaf Shape

Ovate

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The flowers of halberd-leaf rosemallow exhibit a stunning palette ranging from white to pink. Blooming from June to September, they feature five petals surrounding a deeper colored throat and can reach up to 6 inches (15 cm) wide. The cup-shaped blooms are distinguished by prominent, long stamens at the center. Each delicate flower, although short-lived, graces the plant for just one day, contributing to a dynamic and ever-changing floral display.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stem of halberd-leaf rosemallow is terete and glabrous, meaning it is cylindrical and smooth without hairs. It branches sparingly, leading to a generally upright growth habit. The color of the stem is typically green, sometimes with a slight hue variation. It has a medium thickness, approximately 0.2-0.4 inches (5-10 mm) in diameter. This smooth and unbranched nature of the stem helps in the easy identification of halberd-leaf rosemallow.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of halberd-leaf rosemallow is a capsule that matures around late summer to early fall. These elongated, capsule-like fruits are notable for having a fine, hairy texture. When ripe, the capsules burst open to release numerous seeds. Each seed is relatively large and possesses a similar fine hairiness to the fruit's exterior. Such adaptations are likely to aid in water dispersal, aligning with the observed seed carriage by water. Typically, the fruits are green, blending with the foliage before turning brown upon drying. Their size, texture, and seed dispersal mechanism are distinctive features for identification.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

A Botanist in Your Pocket

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them

Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Halberd-leaf rosemallow and Their Similar Plants

Rose of sharon vs. Halberd-leaf rosemallow: What's The Difference?

Hibiscus syriacus is a deciduous shrub with trumpet-shaped pink, lavender, or white flowers. Although it was first collected by Western botanists from Syrian gardens, “rose of sharon” is native to south-central and southeastern China. Because of its hardiness and prolific blooming, it is cultivated all around the world. It is the national flower of South Korea, mentioned in its national anthem.

Chinese hibiscus vs. Halberd-leaf rosemallow: What's The Difference?

Chinese hibiscus is a small flowering tree. Its fragrant flowers are well known the world over, leading to many cultivated variants. Chinese hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia and is featured on Malaysian coins. Although the Latin name, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, means “the rose of China,” it is not related to true roses.

Swamp rose mallow vs. Halberd-leaf rosemallow: What's The Difference?

Hibiscus moscheutos, colloquially known as swamp rose mallow, is a common ornamental plant. It is a vigorous, cold-hardy perennial that thrives in moist soils. Its showy white to pink flowers are often visited by pollinators. Swamp rose mallow is a larval host of various butterfly and moth species.

Cranberry hibiscus vs. Halberd-leaf rosemallow: What's The Difference?

Cranberry hibiscus (*Hibiscus acetosella*), also known as cranberry hibiscus, is an edible vegetable that originally comes from Central Africa. It was later brought to Brazil and used to feed slaves. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, and the flowers are used to color teas. The roots can also be eaten but are considered unappetizing.

Roselle vs. Halberd-leaf rosemallow: What's The Difference?

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a hibiscus species native to Africa. The fragrant plant has many uses as an infusion in beverages, as a vegetable, and in culinary use in jams and preserves.

Confederate rose vs. Halberd-leaf rosemallow: What's The Difference?

A unique feature of the confederate rose (Hibiscus mutabilis) is its color-changing flowers. This shrubby rose bush blooms starting as white in the morning, turn pink at midday, and end red by the end of the day. This is a common plant species and although it is native to Southeast China, it can now be found on every continent except Antarctica.

Scarlet rosemallow vs. Halberd-leaf rosemallow: What's The Difference?

The scarlet rosemallow (Hibiscus coccineus) is native to the southeastern parts of the USA. It is found near marshes, swamps, and other moist areas, so in the garden, it does well near streams or water features. As it is tall-growing, it is wise to stake it.

Heartleaf rosemallow vs. Halberd-leaf rosemallow: What's The Difference?

Other names for heartleaf rosemallow (Hibiscus martianus) include Tulipan Del Monte and heartleaf hibiscus. This plant is indigenous to the southwestern United States and is a fantastic attractor of hummingbirds.

Identify Halberd-leaf rosemallow easily and quickly

We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.

Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Halberd-leaf rosemallow

Attributes of Halberd-leaf rosemallow

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Herb

Plant Height

2 m

Spread

60 cm to 90 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

13 cm

Flower Color

White

Pink

Fruit Color

Brown

Identify plants with a snap

Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.

Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Halberd-leaf rosemallow

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Mallows, rock-roses, and allies

Family

Mallow

Genus

Hibiscus

Species

Halberd-leaf rosemallow (Hibiscus laevis)

Learn More About the Halberd-leaf rosemallow

Distribution Map of Halberd-leaf rosemallow

Halberd-leaf rosemallow, a plant native to temperate and subtropical regions of North America, has also been introduced and cultivated elsewhere. Its range encompasses habitats in eastern and central parts of the continent. While it is primarily found in its native zones, halberd-leaf rosemallow has extended its reach to other major areas, including being cultivated in regions noted for compatibility with its growth requirements.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Halberd-leaf rosemallow

A Comprehensive Guide to Halberd-leaf rosemallow How to Grow and Care for Halberd-leaf rosemallow