Hibiscus vitifolius L.
subsp. vitifolius

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Near Hippo House, Gorongosa National Park

Photo: Bart Wursten
In between new cabanas, Chitengo Camp, Gorongosa National Park

Photo: Bart Wursten
Between Bunga Camp, Gorongosa National Park and EN1

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms:	subsp. vulgaris Brenan & Exell
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:
Description:	Shrubby, sometimes scrambling perennial herb, up to 1.5 m high. Stems usually hairy and glandular, occasionally nearly hairless. Leaves unlobed or shallowly 3-7-lobed, more or less densely stellate hairy to almost hairless, more or less broadly ovate; 5-9-veined from the truncate or cordate base; margin serrate. Flowers 5-9 cm in diameter, yellow with a dark purple-red centre, solitary, axillary or apparently forming terminal racemes due to reduction of the upper leaves. Epicalyx of c. 10 bracts, filiform, 8-10 mm long. Calyx with broadly elliptic lobes up to 15 mm long, hairy, joined to about half-way. Capsule, up to 12 × 15 mm, winged, bristly.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:	vitifolius: leaves vine-like (like a Vitis)
Habitat:
Altitude range:
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Widespread in the Old World tropics and subtropics; probably introduced in tropical America.
Malawi distribution:	N,C,S
Growth form(s):	Perennial, shrub over 2 m.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Literature:	Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 32. As Hibiscus vitifolius vulgaris Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 20. Hibiscus vitifolius vulgaris Exell, A.W. (1961). Malvaceae Flora Zambesiaca 1(2) Pages 470 - 472. Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 290. as Hibiscus vitifolius subsp. vulgaris (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 61. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 75. Pooley, E. (1998). A Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. Natal Flora Publications Trust. Durban. Pages 288 - 289. (Includes a picture).

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Flora of Botswana: Hibiscus vitifolius subsp. vitifolius
Flora of Caprivi: Hibiscus vitifolius subsp. vitifolius
Flora of Mozambique: Hibiscus vitifolius subsp. vitifolius
Flora of Zambia: Hibiscus vitifolius subsp. vitifolius
Flora of Zimbabwe: Hibiscus vitifolius subsp. vitifolius

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Hibiscus vitifolius
African Plant Database: Hibiscus vitifolius
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Hibiscus vitifolius
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Hibiscus vitifolius
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Hibiscus vitifolius
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Hibiscus vitifolius
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Hibiscus vitifolius
JSTOR Plant Science: Hibiscus vitifolius
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Hibiscus vitifolius
Plants of the World Online: Hibiscus vitifolius
Tropicos: Hibiscus vitifolius
Wikipedia: Hibiscus vitifolius