Plant · GBIF taxon 3152576
Halberd-leaf Rosemallow
Hibiscus laevisAlso known as Soldier Rosemallow, Halberd-leaved Rose Mallow, Halberd-leaved Mallow
Halberd-leaf rosemallow stands tall along sunny wetland margins, producing striking funnel-shaped flowers that unfold during early morning light and wither by dusk. Its distinctive three-lobed leaves resemble medieval halberd spears, featuring smooth surfaces that distinguish it from fuzzy-leaved relatives. The large blooms serve as critical late-summer nectar sources for native bees, long-tongued moths, and hummingbirds before yielding woody seed capsules adapted to float away on seasonal floodwaters.
WildflowerWetlandPerennial
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—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (photosynthesis)
Predators
- White-tailed Deer
- Rose Mallow Sawfly
- Hibiscus Leaf Beetle
ThreatsWetland drainage, shoreline development, and invasive wetland weeds
HabitatsFreshwater marshes, riverbanks, lake margins, ditches, and wet meadows
Life spanPerennial (5–15+ years)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderMalvales
- FamilyMalvaceae
- GenusHibiscus
- SpeciesHibiscus laevis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Timing: Visit sunny marsh edges in morning, as individual flowers last only a single day.
- Foliage Clue: Check for distinctive spear-shaped leaves with pointed basal lobes to confirm identity.
- Conservation Etiquette: Admire from shorelines or boardwalks to avoid trampling sensitive wetland mud.
Same Genus (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Frequent Companion Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors from Stevenage, United Kingdom / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Didier Descouens / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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