swamp rose mallow

Numerous forms exist in nature. It is a tall plant, with a height of 1.5–2.5 metres (4.9–8.2 ft) and flowers up to 20 centimetres (7.9 in) across. Petal colors range from pure white through various pinks to deep red, and most have an eye of deep maroon. Taxonomic consensus is lacking for the nomenclature of the multiple subspecies. The flowers are borne apically, whereas the related Hibiscus laevis carries bud and bloom along the stem. Tall herbaceous shrub-like, perrenial forb. Produces multiple stems from a large woody rootstock which are about 3-8 ft tall (1.23m) each year. Thrives in full sun where it blooms at full capacity and becomes resistant to disease. Blooming period lasts up to 1 month but individual flowers are short lived. Typically blooms in Summer and early Fall and produces fruits in late Summer, Fall and Winter. Flowers are perfect and hollyhock-like and in shades of pink, white, red or burgundy and measure up to 8 inches in diameter. 5 spreading petals with red or burgundy central eye and a staminal column that is light yellow to cream color. Leaves are ovate to lanceolate, alternate, greenish gray to green on adaxial surface, abaxial side white and hairy. Flowers mature into oval, short-beaked, 1-1.25 inch seed capsules that contain a ring of seeds inside.

It is a larval host for the common checkered skipper, the gray hairstreak, the Io moth, and the pearly wood nymph. The plant prefers partial to full sun and is a wetland native, utilizing the constantly moist soils that contain loam, silt and have acidic pH. Pollinated by bees and self-compatible. The most effective pollinators for this species are bumblebees and solitary anthophorid bees (Ptilithrix bombiformis). Multiple studies conducted in Maryland show that a majority of rosemallow flowers are pollinated by Ptilithrix bombiformis. Native to wetlands and creek edges in southeastern United States, found abundantly in all of North Carolina.

The edible parts of the plant include its leaf buds and young leaves, flowers, immature seed pods (which can be prepared as okra), seeds, and roots. The leaves and roots are known to contain mucilage. Tea from boiled leaves has been used to relieve cough, sore throat, and digestive inflammation. These medicinal attributes of the tea have been used to treat dysentery, lung ailments, and urinary infections. An infusion of dried stalks has been used to treat bladder infections. Hibiscus moscheutos flowers have also been used externally to reduce swelling and pain from bruises and insect stings.

This is a popular garden plant. It can be propagated by seed, or by crown divisions during winter dormancy, and some success can be achieved by hard-wood stem cuttings. Numerous hybrids of the native North American Hibiscus species have been released by the commercial nursery trade. In cultivation the species or the hybrids can be used in bog gardens or other water features. They are attractive and have wildlife value for nectar-feeders and birds.

Cultivars. Many cold-hardy hibiscus cultivars are hybrids of H. moscheutos, H. coccineus, H. laevis, H. militaris, H. grandiflorus, H. dasycalyx, H. mutabilis. With indeterminate genetic contributions from each parent species. Hibiscus breeders do not preclude the possibility of self-pollination. However, recent research has shown that artificial pollination just after the flower has opened using a high pollen load will ensure that most of the resulting seeds are from the selected pollen parent. Early hibiscus breeders were likely aware of this and used it to their advantage.