Hibiscus splendens 

Location & distribution maps

Phylogeny & links to associated information:

Common name:        Hollyhock Tree 

• Also, Pink cottonwood    

Etymology:  

• The species name "splendens" refers to the beauty of the flower

Flowers:                  

• The spectacular pink coloured flowers are around 7 cm long, appearing in the months of October to December

Fruit:                         

• The fruit is an egg shaped capsule, covered in hairs

• Five cells within the capsule contain pyramid shaped dark seeds, 3 to 4 mm long

• The hairs on the capsules can cause severe skin irritation and need to be handled with care

• Fruit matures from December to February

• Being a rainforest regeneration plant, germination from seed is easily achieved, and cuttings strike well

Leaves:         

•  Leaves are 7 to 20 cm long

• Being toothed, heart shaped with a fine point at the tip

• Leaves are simple or with three to five lobes, arranged alternatively on the stem

• The mid rib and lateral veins are visible on both sides of the leaf

Stem & branches: 

• The cylindrical trunk is covered in sharp prickles, as is most of the plant

Roots:

Habit:        

• A bush or small tree up to 6 m tall and 7 cm in trunk diameter

Habitat:   

• On clearings or disturbances around the margins of the drier rainforests

Distribution:                  

• It is a fairly common plant native to eastern Australia 

• The range of natural distribution is from Wollongong (35° S) in the state of NSW to Blackdown Tableland National Park (23° S) in central east Queensland

Additional notes:        

• An attractive garden plant

Sources of information:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibiscus_splendens (2023)