Hibiscus cannabinus L.

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Zambezi River, Katombora

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Synonyms:
Common names:	Decan hemp (English) Kenaf (English) Sosoori (Shona) Wild stockrose (English)
Frequency:	Common
Status:	Native
Description:	Annual, usually unbranched, herb to 2 m. Stems aculeate with small, rather sparse, prickles usually pointing upwards, otherwise nearly glabrous or with a longitudinal line of crisped pubescence. Leaves: petiole up to 22 cm; lamina up to 15 × 15 cm, usually subcircular in outline, 3-7-palmately lobed, the segments usually narrowly elliptic to linear (occasionally broader), scaberulous or almost glabrous with a few minute prickles on the nerves, usually with a prominent gland on the under surface near the base of the midrib; margin serrate or dentate. Flowers up to 10 cm in diameter, white, greyish or pale yellow, with dark purple centre. Epicalyx of 7-8 bracts; each up to 18 mm, linear. Calyx up to 25 mm, setose, 10-nerved; lobes acuminate or long-acuminate; gland on midrib of calyx lobe conspicuous, usually at least 1.5 mm in diameter (rarely 0). Capsule up to 20 × 15 mm. Seeds minutely faveolate.
Notes:	Somewhat similar to Hibiscus meeusei and differing in the characters highlighted in the description.
Derivation of specific name:
Habitat:	A weed of disturbed and arable places
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:	Nov - Apr
Worldwide distribution:	Widespread in the tropics and subtropics
Zimbabwe distribution:	N,W,C,E,S
Growth form:	A
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects (whose larvae eat this species):
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Literature:	Pickering, H. & Roe, E. (2009). Wild Flowers of the Victoria Falls Area Helen Pickering, London Page 80. (Includes a picture).

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Other sources of information about Hibiscus cannabinus:

Flora of Mozambique: Hibiscus cannabinus
African Plant Database: Hibiscus cannabinus
Biodiversity Explorer (Biodiversity of southern Africa): Hibiscus cannabinus
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Hibiscus cannabinus
ePIC (electronic Plant Information Center): Hibiscus cannabinus
Flora Zambesiaca web site: Hibiscus cannabinus
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network) taxonomy for plants report for Hibiscus cannabinus
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Hibiscus cannabinus
JSTOR Plant Science: Hibiscus cannabinus
Kew Herbarium catalogue: Hibiscus cannabinus
Tropicos: Hibiscus cannabinus
West African Plants database: Hibiscus cannabinus