Hibiscus nigricaulis Baker

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Christon Bank nr path from carpark to warden's house

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Synonyms:	Hibiscus cannabinus sensu Ulbr. & Fr. Hibiscus meeusei Exell
Common names:	Small-flowered kenaf (English)
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Annual or biennial herb to 1.5 m tall, usually branched from the base. Stems finely spiny and shortly stellate-tomentose. Leaves ovate in outline, deeply 3-5-lobed with rhombic to oblanceolate lobes, minutely pubescent above with stellate or simple hairs, usually minutely stellate-pubescent beneath; margin serrate; petiole up to 12 cm long. Flowers 3-6 cm in diameter, yellow with dark red centre. Epicalyx of 8-12 bracts; linear, c. 10 mm long, apex sometimes bearing an appendage but not clearly forked. Calyx c. 15 mm; lobes usually ovate, only shortly pointed; gland on calyx lobe less conspicuous, usually up to 1 mm in diameter. Capsule ovoid-conical, 14-15 mm long, appressed-bristly hairy.
Notes:	Somewhat similar to Hibiscus cannabinus.
Derivation of specific name:	nigricaulis: with black stems.
Habitat:	Mostly in disturbed places, roadsides and waste land.
Flowering time:	Feb - May
Worldwide distribution:	Caprivi-Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, South Africa.
Growth form(s):	Annual, biennial.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Literature:	Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 31. As Hibiscus nigricaulis Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 20. As Hibiscus nigricaulis Exell, A.W. (1961). Malvaceae Flora Zambesiaca 1(2) Pages 442 - 443. Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 285. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 60. Plowes, D.C.H. & Drummond, R.B. (1990). Wild Flowers of Zimbabwe. Revised edition. Longman, Zimbabwe. No. 73, plate 100 Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 218.

Other sources of information about Hibiscus nigricaulis:

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Flora of Botswana: Hibiscus nigricaulis
Flora of Malawi: Hibiscus nigricaulis
Flora of Mozambique: Hibiscus nigricaulis
Flora of Zambia: Hibiscus nigricaulis
Flora of Zimbabwe: Hibiscus nigricaulis

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Hibiscus nigricaulis
African Plant Database: Hibiscus nigricaulis
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Hibiscus nigricaulis
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Hibiscus nigricaulis
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Hibiscus nigricaulis
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Hibiscus nigricaulis
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Hibiscus nigricaulis
JSTOR Plant Science: Hibiscus nigricaulis
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Hibiscus nigricaulis
Plants of the World Online: Hibiscus nigricaulis
Tropicos: Hibiscus nigricaulis
Wikipedia: Hibiscus nigricaulis