Hibiscus trionum - Flora of Qatar

Hibiscus africanus, Hibiscus dissectus, Hibiscus hispidus, Hibiscus vesicarius, Ketmia trionum, Trionum annuum

Common names

Bladder hibiscus, bladder ketmia, bladder weed, flower-of-the-hour, puarangi, shoofly, venice mallow

Hibiscus trionum, commonly called flower-of-an-hour, bladder hibiscus, bladder ketmia, bladder weed, flower-of-the-hour, modesty, puarangi, shoofly, and venice mallow, is an annual plant native to the Levant. It has spread throughout southern Europe both as a weed and cultivated as a garden plant. It has been introduced to the United States as an ornamental where it has become naturalized as a weed of cropland and vacant land, particularly on disturbed ground.[+]

The plant grows to a height of 20–50 centimetres (7.9–19.7 in), sometimes exceeding 80 centimetres (31 in), and has white or yellow flowers with a purple centre. In the deeply pigmented centre of the flower, the surface features striations, which were previously considered to act as a diffraction grating, creating iridescence. Because of the irregularities of the plant cells and surface, the periodicity of the striations is however too irregular to create clear iridescence and thus the iridescence is not visible to man and flower visiting insects. The visual signal of the flower's of H. trionum to flower visiting insects is thus determined by the white and red pigmentary coloration. The pollinated but unripe seedpods look like oriental paper lanterns, less than an inch across, pale green with purple highlights.

The flowers of the Hibiscus trionum can set seed via both outcrossing and self-pollination. During the first few hours after anthesis, the style and stigma are erect and receptive to receive pollen from other plants. In the absence of pollen donation, the style bends and makes contact with the anthers of the same flower, inducing self-pollination. Although outcrossing plants seem to perform better than self-pollinating plants, this form of reproductive assurance might have contributed to the success of H. trionum plants in several environments.

AI-generated Description

Hibiscus trionum, also known as bladder hibiscus or flower-of-an-hour, is an annual herb native to tropical Africa and Asia. In Qatar, it has been found growing wild, particularly in disturbed areas, gardens, and along roadsides. It produces small, yellow flowers with a purple center and inflated seed pods that resemble bladders. The plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, making it adapted to Qatar's arid climate. According to local flora studies, Hibiscus trionum is considered an introduced or naturalized species in Qatar, likely originating from neighboring regions or through human activity.

AI-generated summary of observations

Observations of Hibiscus trionum in Qatar revealed unique characteristics of its fruits. In the Onaiza area of West Bay, Doha, the plant's balloon-like fruits were observed on December 20, 2014. These fruits contained fluffy material inside, which is a notable feature of the species. The presence of Hibiscus trionum in this region suggests that it can thrive in Qatar's environment. The specific location of West Bay, Onaiza area, indicates that the plant can grow in urban or semi-urban areas, potentially as an invasive species. The observation of the plant's fruits and their contents provides insight into its reproductive characteristics and potential for dispersal in the region. Further study could provide more information on the plant's ecology and distribution in Qatar. The plant's ability to produce fluffy seeds may aid in its spread and establishment in new areas.

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Acknowledgements

QNHG (Qatar Natural History Group) and associated people, for a possibility to participate in their field excursions and to learn about local nature.

Hibiscus trionum L.

Synonyms