Sea Hibiscus

hibiscus tiliaceus

The Sea Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus) is a resilient, coastal evergreen tree belonging to the mallow family. Thriving along sandy beaches, estuaries, and the margins of mangrove swamps, this sprawling plant acts as a vital shoreline stabilizer, preventing erosion with its extensive and dense root network. It is highly valued across many coastal cultures for its versatile wood, fibrous bark used in traditional cordage, and its beautiful ornamental qualities.

Hábitat: Found in tropical and subtropical coastal environments, thriving along sandy beaches, mangrove borders, estuaries, and riverbanks.

Aspecto

This coastal tree typically grows between 300 to 1000 centimeters tall, featuring a sprawling, often crooked trunk with smooth, light-grey bark that becomes rough and fissured with age. Its most distinctive features are its large, deeply heart-shaped leaves, which are leathery, dark green on top, and covered with a fine, velvety greyish hair underneath. The striking, cup-shaped flowers open as bright yellow with a deep maroon center in the morning, gradually darkening to orange and then a rich reddish-brown by nightfall.

ReinoPlantaeFiloTracheophytaClaseMagnoliopsidaOrdenMalvalesFamiliaMalvaceaeGéneroHibiscus

Sea Hibiscus

Categoría

Plantas

Rareza

Common

Peligro

1/5 · Muy bajo

Snaps

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Datos interesantes

Its lightweight, water-resistant wood is so buoyant that it has been traditionally used to make outriggers, fishing floats, and lightweight canoes.

The dramatic color change of the flowers—from yellow to red—happens due to chemical changes in anthocyanin pigments as the flower ages throughout a single day.

The fibrous inner bark of the Sea Hibiscus is traditionally used throughout the Pacific islands to weave strong ropes, nets, and even grass skirts.

Habilidades especiales

Filters and excludes salt at the root level, allowing it to survive in highly saline coastal environments and brackish water.

Its flowers undergo a rapid color transformation from bright yellow to deep red-orange in a single day, helping attract different pollinators at different times.

Produces seeds encased in water-resistant, air-filled capsules that can float on ocean currents for months to colonize distant shores.

Medidas y detalles

Longitud: 300+ cm
Esperanza de vida: 30+ años

Dieta y alimentación

As a photoautotrophic plant, the Sea Hibiscus synthesizes its own food using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and essential nutrients absorbed from the soil.

Alimentos principales

Sunlight
Water
Carbon dioxide
Soil nutrients

Método de búsqueda

Photosynthesis

Conexiones ecológicas

eaten by

Brown Land Crab

Cardisoma carnifex

Fallen flowers and leaves are consumed by coastal land crabs.

mutualism

Western Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Provides nectar and pollen, relying on the bees for pollination.

eaten by

Cotton Stainer

Dysdercus suturellus

Feeds on the seeds and young shoots of the plant.

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 Sea Hibiscus?

La forma más fácil de identificar a Sea Hibiscus es usar la aplicación de identificación de naturaleza Snappit.

¿Cuál es el longitud de Sea Hibiscus?

300+ cm

¿Cuál es el esperanza de vida de Sea Hibiscus?

30+ años

¿Qué come Sea Hibiscus?

As a photoautotrophic plant, the Sea Hibiscus synthesizes its own food using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and essential nutrients absorbed from the soil.

¿Dónde se encuentra normalmente Sea Hibiscus?

Found in tropical and subtropical coastal environments, thriving along sandy beaches, mangrove borders, estuaries, and riverbanks.

¿Cómo caza Sea Hibiscus?

Photosynthesis