MALLOW FAMILY 139 



flowers that are sometimes eight inches across. The 

 naturalized H. furcellatus, with broad, velvety leaves, and 

 flowers that vary from pinkish to bluish purple, blooms 

 the year around in places along the East Coast. 



The exotic species most commonly planted is the Chinese 

 hibiscus, H. rosa-sinensis, whose bruised flowers are said to 

 be used in Asia for darkening hair and eyebrows, and also 

 for blacking shoes. 



The roselle, also known as Jamaica sorrel and Florida 

 cranberry, is a hibiscus, H. sabdariffa, whose dark red 

 calyx, which enlarges and becomes juicy as the seeds 

 ripen, is used in jellies, preserves, and cooling drinks. 

 It is a handsome tropical annual that is easily grown in 

 Florida. 



Flowers of the genus Kosteletzhja resemble those of hi- 

 biscus, but the five-celled capsule has only one seed in each 

 cell, whereas the hibiscus has several. 



Hibiscus coccineus. Flowers crimson, 5-8 in. across, from 

 leaf-axils. Stems 3-10 ft. tall. Leaves long-stalked, 5-parted, 

 divisions narrow, toothed, 2-10 in. longt. Marshes and 

 swamps. Blooming in summer. Fla. and Ga. 



Hibiscus grandiflorus. Flowers pink or white, with reddish 

 center, 6-9 in. across. Stems 3-8 ft. tall. Leaves velvety, 

 3-lobed, toothed, as broad as long, 3-12 in. long. Marshes 

 and swamps. Blooming in summer. Fla. to Ga. and Miss. 



Hibiscus furcellatus. Flowers pinkish to bluish purple, 

 somewhat nodding, 3-4 in. long. Calyx and capsule very 

 hairy. Bracts of involucre T-shaped or forked at apex. 

 Stems 3-8 ft. tall. Leaves broad, velvety, 2-6 in. long, 

 toothed, often lobed. Damp places near the East Coast. 

 Blooming all the year. Fla. 



Hibiscus aculeatus. Flowers yellow or cream-color, with 

 purple center, 3-4 in. across. Stems 2-6 ft. tall. Leaves 

 rough, 3-5-lobed or -parted, broad, toothed, 2-5 in. long. Low 

 sandy soil near swamps and ponds. Blooming in summer. 

 Fla. to S. C. and La. 



