Hibiscus coccineus Walter. Section: Muenchhusia. Common name: Scarlet Hibiscus. Phenology: (Feb-) Apr-Aug. Habitat: Marshes (including inland salt marshes), swamp forests, roadside swales, cultivated as an ornamental in yards, in much of our area presumably introduced from farther south, but sometimes appearing native. Distribution: S. GA and s. AL south to s. FL, west to s. AL, and s. MS (a wider distribution is the result of naturalization from horticultural use). Reported from e. MD and Coastal Plain of DE (W. Longbottom, pers.comm. 2022).
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, Fl4, FNA6, GW2, K4, NS, POWO, S, Va, WH3; = n/a — C, RAB; > Hibiscus coccineus Walter — S13; > Hibiscus coccineus Walter var. integrifolius Chapm.; > Hibiscus integrifolius (Chapm.) Small — S13; > Hibiscus semilobatus Chapm.; Hibiscus coccineus Walter. Basionym: Hibiscus coccineus Walter 1788
Links to other floras: = Hibiscus coccineus - FNA6
Show parent genus | Show parent in key(s)
Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: OBL
Heliophily ⓘ: 7
Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend.
© Emily Oglesby | Original Image ⭷
© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
© Emily Oglesby | Original Image ⭷
© Jennifer Peterson | Original Image ⭷
© Emily Oglesby | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷Feedback
See something missing or incorrect about Hibiscus coccineus? Let us know here:
- Please include your name and if possible, email in case when need to clarify what you wrote.
- If you opt out of including email, please be as specific as possible (e.g., which photo is incorrect?)
- Please do not submit questions asking to identify plants or about horticultural topics (e.g., how do I control an invasive plant in my garden?). Instead, those questions can be submitted here for the Carolinas region only.
- Please do not send us feedback about unkeyed species as this work is ongoing.
- Please allow time for flora edits to show in our next data release. We greatly appreciate your feedback but may require extra time to research complicated taxonomic issues.
Horticultural Information
Intro: Large, upright perennial from semi-woody root crown, found in marshes, swamp forests, roadside swales.
Stems: Stems may be branched in upper portion, smooth.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, petiolate, round but palmately divided into 3-7 narrow segments that are shallowly toothed to entire and smooth.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers solitary on stalks arising from upper leaf axils; deep red; 6 in. wide; widely funnel-shaped; consisting of 5 slightly creased, spreading, spoon-shaped petals and a central column of red stamens and style, all surrounded by 5 shorter, long-pointed sepals.
Fruits: Fruit an oval, 5-sectioned capsule with blunt tip and bumpy surface.
Comments: Cultivated as an ornamental; in much of our area presumably introduced from farther south, but sometimes appearing native.
Height: 4-7 ft.
plant sale text: Elegant scarlet flowers are very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Scarlet rose-mallow adds a lush, tropical look to North Carolina landscapes. However, this vigorous and sturdy southeastern native perennial is perfectly hardy here. Grow scarlet rose-mallow as a focal point in the garden. This showy herbaceous perennial grows more shrublike and produces more flowers as it matures. Try growing this plant in your perennial border or at the edge of a pond. The Hibiscus genus supports up to 18 lepidoptera species.
bloom table text:
description: Large, upright perennial from semi-woody root crown, found in marshes, swamp forests, roadside swales.
stems: Stems may be branched in upper portion, smooth.
leaves: Leaves alternate, petiolate, round but palmately divided into 3-7 narrow segments that are shallowly toothed to entire and smooth.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers solitary on stalks arising from upper leaf axils; deep red; 6 in. wide; widely funnel-shaped; consisting of 5 slightly creased, spreading, spoon-shaped petals and a central column of red stamens and style, all surrounded by 5 shorter, long-pointed sepals.
fruits: Fruit an oval, 5-sectioned capsule with blunt tip and bumpy surface.
comments: Cultivated as an ornamental; in much of our area presumably introduced from farther south, but sometimes appearing native.
cultural notes: William Bartram, son of the famous plant recorder John Bartram, recorded observations of this stately plant in 1773 in Florida where he was struck by its beauty and commanding presence. This plant is a native of the southeastern U. S., where it grows 10-12 feet tall and blooms from late July through September. The palmately divided leaves of this 4-7 ft. rose-mallow are palmately cut and shiny. It grows well in a sunny area where it receives full sun and plenty of moisture. In it's natural habitiat it is found in Swamp, marshes & ditches of the coastal plain. Certainly this is one our more fabulous, even exotic looking native plants.
germination code: 3
native range: GA, FL & AL
0 unsaved edits on this page.