Hibiscus taiwanensis

Hibiscus taiwanensis, or the Taiwan cotton rose, is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae. It is a tree or shrub endemic to the Alishan Range of Taiwan.^[1][2] The form of flower is different from Hibiscus mutabilis in China, which is double. It can attract butterflies.^[3]

Hibiscus taiwanensis
Flower
Leaves
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malvales
Family:	Malvaceae
Genus:	Hibiscus
Species:	H. taiwanensis
Binomial name
Hibiscus taiwanensis S.Y.Hu

Botany

Hibiscus taiwanensis can grow to 3–5 meters. The leaves are broad ovate to circular, 7–10 cm long and 6–8 cm broad; simple leaves with long petioles about 10–16 cm; arranged in alternate; subcampanulate corolla, 6–9 in diameter. Its bloom season is in August to October; fruits form in November to December. In the early morning, the flowers are white, but they turn light pink by noon and become an even deeper pink in the afternoon.^[4]

Hibiscus taiwanensis is a light-demanding plant; it needs much sunlight. It is drought-enduring and resistant to pollution and barren soil.

Use

The wood of Hibiscus taiwanensis can be made into clogs.