Hibiscus malacospermus (Turcz.) E. Mey. ex Harv.

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Hibiscus malacospermus

Photo: Cathy Sharp
Debshan HQ, SE of Shangani.

Hibiscus malacospermus

Photo: Cathy Sharp
Debshan HQ, SE of Shangani.

Hibiscus malacospermus

Collection by Cathy Sharp of record_id 126338

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Synonyms: Hibiscus microcarpus Garcke
Kosteletzkya malacosperma Turcz.
Common names:
Frequency:
Status: Native
Description:
Perennial herb, 6-24 cm tall. : lamina 2-8 × 0.1-1.5 cm, linear. Flowers up to 8 cm in diameter, purple, solitary, axillary. Epicalyx of 7-8 bracts; bracts up to 18 × 2 mm, linear. Calyx lobes 15-22 mm, ovate-lanceolate, slightly acuminate, usually exceeding the epicalyx. Capsule subglobose. Seeds minutely tomentose.
Type location:
Notes:
Derivation of specific name: malacospermus: from Greek malaco, soft and spermus, a seed, referring to the soft seeds.
Habitat: Grassland.
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution: Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa.
National distribution: W,C
Growth form(s): Perennial.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated: Thursday 6 March 2025
Literature:

Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 20. As Hibiscus microcarpus

Exell, A.W. (1961). Malvaceae Flora Zambesiaca 1(2) Page 469.

Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 60.


Other sources of information about Hibiscus malacospermus:

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Hibiscus malacospermus
African Plant Database: Hibiscus malacospermus
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Hibiscus malacospermus
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Hibiscus malacospermus
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Hibiscus malacospermus
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Hibiscus malacospermus
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Hibiscus malacospermus
JSTOR Plant Science: Hibiscus malacospermus
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Hibiscus malacospermus
Plants of the World Online: Hibiscus malacospermus
Tropicos: Hibiscus malacospermus
Wikipedia: Hibiscus malacospermus


Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2002-25

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2025). Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Hibiscus malacospermus.
https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=139430, retrieved 20 May 2025

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