Hibiscus syriacus, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1981, Flora Europaea. Volume 2. Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge University Press : 255

1. H. syriacus L. , Sp. Pl. 695 (1753).

Erect, freely-branched shrub 2-3 m. Leaves 4-7 cm, rhombic, dentate-crenate in apical half and usually 3-lobed, sparsely stellate-pubescent beneath; petiole short. Pedicels 1-2 cm. Epicalyx-segments 7-9; sepals united in basal half; petals c. 5 cm, lilac or white, with a dark purple patch at the base. Capsule c. 25 x 13 mm, densely stellatepubescent with yellow hairs. Seeds with long, white hairs on the margin. Planted for ornament and for hedges in S. Europe and locally naturalized. [Ga G r It Ju Sa Si.] (S. & E. Asia.)