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Hibiscus dasycalyx, or more
correctly, Hibiscus laevis var. dasycalyx*, is a very localized
variant found only in east Texas in Cherokee, Harrison, Houston and Trinity
counties. It occurs in seasonally flooded sites associated with the
Angelina, Neches and Trinity Rivers. The 4' to 7' stems bear many
flowers (4" to 6" across) during the hottest months of the year.
Like its relatives,
H. coccineus, H. laevis (militaris),
H.
grandiflorus and H. moscheutos, its stems die back in late fall
and resume growth from the rootstock in March to April. For best
floral development, all of these perennial mallows must be grown in full
sun. While they are native to areas that are flooded during part
of the growing season, they do very well in cultivation with weekly watering.
*American Journal
of Botany, Vol. 82, No. 11 (Nov., 1995) , pp. 1463 - 1472
(Feed with 3 Agriform
21-gram,
2-year fertilizer tablets at the bottom of the hole at planting time.) |