Hibiscus aculeatus Walter

Savannah Hibiscus; Comfort Root; Pineland Hibiscus

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Savannah Hibiscus is a native perennial herb in the Hibiscus family (Malvaceae). It is found in the southern half of Alabama. Savannah Hibiscus grows in pine savannas, pine Flatwoods, mixed pine/hardwood forests, and in bogs. Other common names include wild cotton and wild okra. Savannah Hibiscus is an herbaceous perennial from thick cord-like roots. There are usually several ascending branches from the root crown. Stems are up to 3 feet in length. The stems are green or reddish in color and pubescent with stellate trichomes. The stems often tend to become slightly woody at the base. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, palmately 3-5 cleft, with irregularly serrate margins. The leaves and petioles are stellate pubescent. The hairs are stiff and give the plant a rough or irritating feel. Flowers are produced in racemes. Flowers have 5 cream petals with a red base that forms a crimson “eye” to the flower. Stamens are numerous and united to the style. Flowers fade to yellow and finally pinkish as they close. The fruit is a pubescent capsule. Savannah Hibiscus is available from some wildflower nurseries. It is more tolerant of well-draining soils or drought than our out native hibiscus species. It can also be grown from seed. After frost, the old stems should be removed. Savannah Hibiscus can be grown in containers, in a perennial border, in a bog garden, or in a wet spot in the landscape.--A. Diamond

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Native FACW (NWPL)

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