Flower-Of-An-Hour
ExplorePlants
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. If you want to identify Flower-Of-An-Hour in the wild, use the Snappit app.
Habitat: Typically found in disturbed soils, agricultural fields, waste grounds, gardens, and along roadsides.
Appearance
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.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalvalesFamilyMalvaceaeGenusHibiscus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
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.
Special abilities
Ability
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.
Ability
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.
Ability
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.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 10+ cm
- Lifespan
- 1+ years
Diet & Feeding
As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces glucose and essential organic molecules through photosynthesis, utilizing solar energy, water, carbon dioxide, and soil minerals.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Carbon dioxide
- Water
- Soil nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
Ecological connections
mutualism
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Visiting the fleeting flowers for nectar and pollen, acting as a primary pollinator.
eaten by
Hibiscus Seed Bug
Niesthrea louisianica
Feeds heavily on the developing seeds and pods of the Hibiscus genus.
eaten by
Cotton Bollworm
Helicoverpa armigera
Caterpillars feed on the leaves and stems of the plant, occasionally defoliating it.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Flower-Of-An-Hour?
The easiest way to identify Flower-Of-An-Hour is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Flower-Of-An-Hour?
10+ cm
How long does Flower-Of-An-Hour live?
1+ years
What does Flower-Of-An-Hour eat?
As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces glucose and essential organic molecules through photosynthesis, utilizing solar energy, water, carbon dioxide, and soil minerals.
Where is Flower-Of-An-Hour usually found?
Typically found in disturbed soils, agricultural fields, waste grounds, gardens, and along roadsides.
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