
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.
Hábitat: Typically found in disturbed soils, agricultural fields, waste grounds, gardens, and along roadsides.
Aspecto
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.

Categoría
PlantasRareza
Common
Peligro
1/5 · Muy bajo
Snaps
¡Sé la primera persona en hacer un snap!
Datos interesantes
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.
Habilidades especiales
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.
Medidas y detalles
- Longitud
- 10+ cm
- Esperanza de vida
- 1+ años
Dieta y alimentación
As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces glucose and essential organic molecules through photosynthesis, utilizing solar energy, water, carbon dioxide, and soil minerals.
Alimentos principales
- Sunlight
- Carbon dioxide
- Water
- Soil nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
Conexiones ecológicas
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.
Rasgos
Aún no hay insignias de rasgos asignadas a este objeto.
También conocido como
Todavía no hay alias listados.
Colecciones
Las colecciones para este objeto aparecerán aquí a medida que se añadan más temas.
Seguridad
Peligro
1/5 · Muy bajo
Todavía no hay notas especiales de seguridad.
Preguntas frecuentes
¿Cómo identificar a Flower-Of-An-Hour?
La forma más fácil de identificar a Flower-Of-An-Hour es usar la aplicación de identificación de naturaleza Snappit.
¿Cuál es el longitud de Flower-Of-An-Hour?
10+ cm
¿Cuál es el esperanza de vida de Flower-Of-An-Hour?
1+ años
¿Qué come 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.
¿Dónde se encuentra normalmente Flower-Of-An-Hour?
Typically found in disturbed soils, agricultural fields, waste grounds, gardens, and along roadsides.
Mapa de snaps
Acércate para separar los grupos y explorar dónde se ha fotografiado este objeto.
Snaps recientes
Los snaps recientes aparecerán aquí a medida que se añadan nuevas observaciones.

















