# Halberd-leaf Rosemallow (*Hibiscus laevis*) The Halberd-leaf Rosemallow is a beautiful flower with large, bright petals. It loves to grow near water and can be found in wetlands, making it a lovely sight in nature. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 8 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Halberd-leaf Rosemallow](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Hibiscus_laevis_-_Halberdleaf_Rosemallow.jpg&width=800) Photo: Fritzflohrreynolds, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hibiscus_laevis_-_Halberdleaf_Rosemallow.jpg) ## Appearance The Halberd-leaf Rosemallow has striking, pale pink to white saucer-shaped flowers, often with a deep red or purple eye. Its unique, arrow-shaped leaves with three distinct lobes make it easily distinguishable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Malvales - **Family:** Malvaceae - **Genus:** Hibiscus ## Interesting facts - It loves 'wet feet,' growing happily right next to rivers and ponds! - Its unique leaves actually resemble an ancient spear called a halberd! - Some parts of the plant, including the roots, can be eaten! - This plant is a wild cousin to okra and cotton, both super useful plants! ## Special abilities - **Water Wanderer:** Halberd-leaf Rosemallow has seeds that can float, helping it travel and spread to new watery homes. - **Super Survivor:** Halberd-leaf Rosemallow can thrive in soggy soils, an adaptation that helps it survive in wet, swampy habitats. - **Sun Seeker:** Halberd-leaf Rosemallow grows tall and strong, allowing its flowers to reach the sun for maximum energy. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 100-250 cm - **Spread:** 60-120 cm - **Flower Size:** 5-10 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer-fall - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen - **Pollinates:** common eastern bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Visits flowers for nectar - **Eaten by:** cabbage looper (*Trichoplusia ni*) — Larvae feed on leaves ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch flowers without asking an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Halberd-leaf Rosemallow? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Halberd-leaf Rosemallow? 100-250 cm ### How wide does Halberd-leaf Rosemallow spread? 60-120 cm ### How big are the flowers on Halberd-leaf Rosemallow? 5-10 cm ### When does Halberd-leaf Rosemallow bloom? Summer-fall ### Is Halberd-leaf Rosemallow edible? Yes ### Is Halberd-leaf Rosemallow toxic? None ### What is Halberd-leaf Rosemallow's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Lock and Dam No. 17](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lock-and-dam-no-17) — Illinois, US · Historic Site - [Marked Tree Lock and Siphons](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/marked-tree-lock-and-siphons) — Arkansas, US · Historic Site - [Bickelhaupt Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bickelhaupt-arboretum) — Iowa, US · Botanical Garden - [Cairo Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cairo-historic-district) — Illinois, US · Historic District - [Dresden Island Lock and Dam Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dresden-island-lock-and-dam-historic-district) — Illinois, US · Historic District - [Fort Defiance](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-defiance) — Illinois, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Halberd-leaf Rosemallow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/halberd-leaf-rosemallow) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Halberd-leaf Rosemallow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/halberd-leaf-rosemallow)