Hibiscus L.
Annual to perennial herbs, shrubs or trees. Lvs lobed or not, usually toothed. Fls axillary and solitary, or in axillary or terminal infls; epicalyx segments 6-13, free or united; calyx evenly 5-toothed; petals spreading, usually obtuse. Style branches as many as loculi, dilated to capitate stigma. Fr. a 5-celled capsule; cells 3- or more seeded, dehiscent, not separating from axis at maturity.
Key
Stems and petioles with short spines; stem lvs not lobed or lobed usually < 1/2 of radius
c. 300 spp., mostly tropical and subtropical. Native sp. 1, naturalised 2.
Two other spp., H. rosa-sinensis L. and H. syriacus L., are very common in cultivation and persist as relics in old gardens.
