Hibiscus moscheutos
Photo by Shirley Denton. Photograph belongs to the photographer who allows use for FNPS purposes only. Please contact the photographer for all other uses.
Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones
Suitable to grow in:
8A 8B 9A 9B
2002-2022, Copyright Florida Native Plant Society
Swamp Mallow, Swamp Hibiscus, Swamp Rosemallow
Malvaceae
Plant Specifics
| Size: | 2-6 ft tall by 2-4 ft wide | |
| Life Span: | Long-lived perennial | |
| Flower Color: | White,pink | |
| Fruit Color: | Brown | |
| Phenology: | Winter dormant | |
| Habitats: | Wet sites. Wet pine flatwoods, edges of sloughs, swamps, bogs, brackish and freshwater marshes and ditches. |
Landscaping
| Recommended Uses: | Use in moist areas as a wildflower. It is semi-woody, and if given adequate moisture can be a specimen plant. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Light: | Full Sun, Part Shade | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moisture Tolerance: |
always floodedextremely dry |
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| Moisture Tolerance: | Stays Wet ----- to ----- Somewhat moist, no flooding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Water Flooding Tolerance: | Tolerant of inundation with brackish water | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Spray Tolerance: | Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soil/Substrate: | Organic material (muck), Sand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wildlife
Pollinated by bees, especially bumblebees and solitary anthophorid bees (Ptilithrix bombiformis). Butterflies are attracted to the nector.
- Larval host of Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady Butterfly, Common Checkered Skipper and Tropical Checkered Skipper butterflies and four moths : Pearly Wood Nymph, Yellow Scallop Moth, Io Moth, and Delightful Bird-Dropping Moths.
- Attracts butterflies and native bees (including the Rose-mallow Bee which is a Hibiscus specialist), beetles, etc.