Hibiscus mutabilis

Hibiscus mutabilis, also known as the Confederate rose, Dixie rosemallow, cotton rose or cotton rosemallow, is a plant long cultivated for its showy flowers. Originally native to southern China,[1] it is now found on all continents except Antarctica.

Hibiscus mutabilis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Hibiscus
Species:
H. mutabilis
Binomial name
Hibiscus mutabilis

Confederate roses tend to be shrubby or treelike in zones 9 and 10, though they behave more like perennials further north. Flowers can be double or single and are 4–6 in (10–15 cm) in diameter; they open white or pink, and change to deep red by evening. The 'Rubra' variety has red flowers. Single blooming flowers are generally cup-shaped. Bloom season usually lasts from summer through fall. Propagation by cuttings root easiest in early spring, but cuttings can be taken at almost any time. When it does not freeze, the Confederate rose can reach heights of 12–15 ft (3.7–4.6 m) with a woody trunk; however, a much bushier plant 5–6 ft (1.5–1.8 m) high is more typical and provides more flowering. These plants have a very fast growth rate. The Confederate rose was at one time very common in the area of the Confederate States of America, which is how its common name was derived. It grows well in full sun or partial shade, and prefers rich, well-drained soil.[2]

The flowers are attractive to pollinators, including the specialized bee Ptilothrix bombiformis.[3]

Changing colors of the flower during a day

In cultivation in the UK, Hibiscus mutabilis has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4]

Floral color change

Floral color change occurs in H. mutabilis when flowers are white in the morning, turning pink during noon and red in the evening of the same day. Under laboratory conditions, the color change of the petals was slower than that of flowers under outdoor conditions.[5] Temperature may be an important factor affecting the rate of colour change as white flowers kept in the refrigerator remain white until they are taken out to warm, whereupon they slowly turn pink.[6]

The red flowers remain on plants for several days before they abort.[5] Weight of a single detached flower was 15.6 g (0.55 oz) when white, 12.7 g (0.45 oz) when pink and 11.0 g (0.39 oz) when red. Anthocyanin content of red flowers was three times that of pink flowers and eight times that of white flowers. There was a significant increase in phenolic content with color change. Overall ranking of antioxidant properties of H. mutabilis flowers was red > pink > white.

Subramanian and Nair postulated that anthocyanins in pink and red flowers of H. mutabilis are synthesized independently since there is no reduction in phenolic content.[7] However, Lowry suggested that anthocyanins are formed through direct conversion from flavonols as they have structural similarities.[8]

References
  1. "Hibiscus mutabilis L. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  2. William C. Welch: "Hardy Hibiscus", Texas A&M University
  3. "Hibiscus mutabilis (Confederate Rose, Cotton Rose) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  4. "Hibiscus mutabilis". www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  5. Wong, S.K.; Lim, Y.Y.; Chan, E.W.C. (2009). "Antioxidant properties of Hibiscus: species variation, altitudinal change, coastal influence and floral colour change" (PDF). Journal of Tropical Forest Science. 21 (4): 307–315. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2010-02-09.
  6. Ng, F.S.P. (2006). Tropical Horticulture and Gardening. Kuala Lumpur: Clearwater Publications. ISBN 983-42954-0-5.
  7. Subramanian, S.S.; Nair, A.G.R. (1970). "A note on the colour change of the flowers of Hibiscus mutabilis". Current Science. 39 (14): 323–324.
  8. Lowry, J.B. (1976). "Floral anthocyanins of some Malesian Hibiscus species". Phytochemistry. 15 (9): 1395–1396. doi:10.1016/s0031-9422(00)97124-3.

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