# Red Rose (*Hibiscus kokio subsp. kokio*)

The Red Rose is a classic flower known for its deep red color and sweet smell. It symbolizes love and friendship.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Gardens and parks
- **Also known as:** Rosa

![Red Rose](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425713/objects/4901.jpg)

## Appearance

The Red Rose (Hibiscus kokio subsp. kokio) is a vibrant shrub or small tree with glossy, dark green leaves. Its showy, deep red flowers are crinkled and often have a darker throat, making them visually distinct from typical garden roses.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Malvales
- **Family:** Malvaceae
- **Genus:** Hibiscus

## Interesting facts

- Ancient Hawaiians sometimes used its inner bark to weave strong ropes.
- Believe it or not, some people say its petals have a tangy, cranberry-like taste!
- Its showy red petals usually unfurl and wither all in a single day!
- This beautiful flower is only found wild on the Hawaiian Islands!

## Special abilities

- **Nectar Beacon:** Red Rose has a long central column of stamens that helps it present nectar, guiding pollinators efficiently to its sweet reward.
- **Ever-Ready Bloom:** Red Rose can flower year-round in its warm habitat, ensuring it always has blooms ready to attract helpers for reproduction.
- **Rainforest Resilience:** Red Rose has adapted to grow in moist, often volcanic soils, allowing it to thrive in specific, damp Hawaiian forest environments.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 100-600 cm
- **Spread:** 100-300 cm
- **Flower Size:** 10-15 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Year-round
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Hawaiian yellow-faced bee (*Hylaeus kuakea*) — Feeds on nectar, transferring pollen.
- **Pollinates:** I'iwi (*Vestiaria coccinea*) — Native Hawaiian honeycreeper sips nectar.
- **Parasitizes:** Red ambrosia beetle (*Xyleborus ferrugineus*) — Introduced pest bores into stems.

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
- [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
- [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.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Thorny Stem](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thorny-stem): Pertaining to plants that have stems covered with sharp, pointed projections for defense.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Red Rose?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Red Rose?

100-600 cm

### How wide does Red Rose spread?

100-300 cm

### How big are the flowers on Red Rose?

10-15 cm

### When does Red Rose bloom?

Year-round

### Is Red Rose edible?

Yes

### Is Red Rose toxic?

None

### What is Red Rose's lifecycle?

Perennial

## 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*)

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Source: [Red Rose: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-rose)