Hibiscus diversifolius

Swamp hibiscus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Hibiscus
Species:
H. diversifolius
Binomial name
Hibiscus diversifolius

Hibiscus diversifolius, the swamp hibiscus, is a widespread species of hibiscus. It grows to between 1 and 2 metres in height, with prickly stems and yellow flowers with a maroon basal spot during spring summer.[1]

Distribution

It occurs in tropical Africa, New Guinea, the Philippines, many Pacific Islands, Central and South America, the Galapagos Islands, New Zealand, Norfolk Island[2] as well as the states of New South Wales and Queensland in Australia.[1][3][4] There is disagreement over its native range. Some sources consider it native only to Africa, and naturalised elsewhere;[5] but it is considered a native in New Zealand[3] and Australia[1]

It is found in low, swampy areas; in Africa it may occur inland or near the coast, but in all other continents it occurs only in coastal areas. This distribution, together with genomic evidence, suggests that it originated in Africa, and colonised the other continents through long-range salt-water dispersal.[6]

Hibiscus diversifolius flower

References

  1. ^ a b c "New South Wales Flora Online: Hibiscus diversifolius". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
  2. ^ "Hibiscus diversifolius". Flora of Australia Online. Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australian Government.
  3. ^ a b "Hibiscus diversifolius". New Zealand Plant Conversation Network. Retrieved 10 March 2009.
  4. ^ van Leeuwen JF, et al. (November 2008). "Fossil Pollen as a Guide to Conservation in the Galápagos". Science. 322 (5905): 1206. Bibcode:2008Sci...322.1206V. doi:10.1126/science.1163454. PMID 19023075. S2CID 46449794.
  5. ^ "Hibiscus diversifolius Jacq". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
  6. ^ Wilson, F. Douglas (1994). "The genome biogeography of Hibiscus L. section Furcaria DC". Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 41 (1): 13–25. doi:10.1007/BF00051419. S2CID 25854848.
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