
Flower-Of-An-Hour
hibiscus trionum
Flower-Of-An-Hour (Hibiscus trionum), also known as bladder ketmia, is a charming and ephemeral annual plant belonging to the mallow family. Native to the warm regions of the Old World, it has successfully naturalized across many temperate and tropical regions globally. It is famous for its fleeting floral display: individual flowers open mid-morning on sunny days and typically last for only a few hours before closing forever. Despite its brief bloom time, the plant produces numerous buds, ensuring a continuous succession of flowers over the summer. While often classified as an agricultural weed in cropland, gardeners often appreciate its striking, delicate blossoms and unusual papery seed pods. The plant thrives in disturbed soils, displaying a hardy resilience that allows it to flourish in conditions where other plants might struggle.
Lebensraum: Typically found in disturbed soils, agricultural fields, waste grounds, gardens, and along roadsides.
Aussehen
Flower-Of-An-Hour is a low-growing, branching herb reaching heights of 10 to 50 cm, with stems covered in rough, spreading hairs. Its leaves are deeply lobed into three to five coarse segments. The most distinctive feature is the blossom, which is roughly 3 to 5 cm wide with five cream-to-pale-yellow petals, each dramatically marked with a deep purple or burgundy center. Crucially, the flower is supported by a highly characteristic inflated, bladder-like green calyx with dark longitudinal veins, which puffs up and turns papery as the seeds mature inside.

Kategorie
PflanzenSeltenheit
Common
Gefahr
1/5 · Sehr gering
Snaps
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Interessante Fakten
Despite being closely related to okra and culinary hibiscus, Hibiscus trionum is not typically consumed and is instead used strictly for ornamental or ecological purposes.
Its fleeting blooming window has earned it evocative names such as shoo-fly, hour-flower, and bladder ketmia across different regions.
The unique papery, balloon-like pods help disperse the plant's seeds; they can float on water currents or roll along the ground in high winds.
Besondere Fähigkeiten
Ultra-Brief Blooming
Flower blossoms open for only a few hours during peak morning sunlight, reducing water loss and limiting exposure to harsh afternoon heat.
Inflated Calyx Protection
The calyx swells into a protective, air-filled balloon around the developing seed pod, sheltering the seeds from predators and harsh weather.
Structural UV Halo
The petals feature nanoscale ridges that diffract light, creating a blue halo effect visible to pollinating insects even under varying light conditions.
Maße und Details
- Länge
- 10+ cm
- Lebenserwartung
- 1+ Jahre
Ernährung und Fütterung
As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces glucose and essential organic molecules through photosynthesis, utilizing solar energy, water, carbon dioxide, and soil minerals.
Hauptnahrung
- Sunlight
- Carbon dioxide
- Water
- Soil nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
Ökologische Zusammenhänge
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Visiting the fleeting flowers for nectar and pollen, acting as a primary pollinator.
Hibiscus Seed Bug
Niesthrea louisianica
Feeds heavily on the developing seeds and pods of the Hibiscus genus.
Cotton Bollworm
Helicoverpa armigera
Caterpillars feed on the leaves and stems of the plant, occasionally defoliating it.
Merkmale
Für dieses Objekt sind noch keine Merkmal-Badges vergeben.
Auch bekannt als
Noch keine Alternativnamen vorhanden.
Sammlungen
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Sicherheit
Gefahr
1/5 · Sehr gering
Noch keine besonderen Sicherheitshinweise.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Wie identifiziert man Flower-Of-An-Hour?
Der einfachste Weg, Flower-Of-An-Hour zu bestimmen, ist die Verwendung der Naturführer-App Snappit.
Was ist der/die/das länge von Flower-Of-An-Hour?
10+ cm
Was ist der/die/das lebenserwartung von Flower-Of-An-Hour?
1+ Jahre
Was frisst Flower-Of-An-Hour?
As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces glucose and essential organic molecules through photosynthesis, utilizing solar energy, water, carbon dioxide, and soil minerals.
Wo findet man Flower-Of-An-Hour normalerweise?
Typically found in disturbed soils, agricultural fields, waste grounds, gardens, and along roadsides.
Snap-Karte
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Neueste Snaps
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