FLOWER-OF-AN-HOUR
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FLOWER-OF-AN-HOUR

Hibiscus trionum
MALLOW FAMILY (Malvaceae)

Identification

  • Flouwering June, July, August, September
  • Rare - one record from FF in 2012
  • Large white flower with maroon center
  • Large 3-lobed leaves
  • Papery bladder enclosing seeds
  • FLOWER-OF-AN-HOUR
  • FLOWER-OF-AN-HOUR
Click on each photo thumbnail to enlarge.

This annual plant, long established in Nebraska, was originally introduced from Europe as a garden ornamental. Its short, branched, sometimes sprawling stems are 1-2 feet long. It is included here among the pinks/purples because of the color of the petals from the outside, although when fully open, its 5 petals are observed to be mostly white or cream colored. The red-purple at the base of the inside of the petals, its yellow anthers and its large 2 inch size make it a very striking-looking flower (B). The  leaves are deeply 3-lobed, the lobes with rounded tips (A). Seeds are enclosed in a papery bladder (A,C).

Only one plant was discovered in September, 2012 on the Fontenelle Forest floodplain in disturbed soil deposited by the flood of the previous year. Although this plant is fairly widespread throughout eastern Nebraska, this remains the only record to date at either of our nature centers. Flowering occurs from June to September.

As the common name suggests, flowers are short-lived, often open only for an hour or two.  Other common names include Venice Mallow and Bladder Weed or Bladder Hibiscus, a name prompted by its papery seed covering.

The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Roland Barth.