Hibiscus coccineus
Species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hibiscus coccineus the scarlet rosemallow,[3] is a hardy Hibiscus species, also known as Texas star, brilliant hibiscus and scarlet hibiscus. In 2025, the name was changed to Muenchhusia coccinea[4].
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| Hibiscus coccineus | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Hibiscus |
| Species: | H. coccineus |
| Binomial name | |
| Hibiscus coccineus | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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The plant is found in swamps, marshes and ditches on the coastal plain of the Southeastern United States.[2] It is native from Southeastern Virginia south to Florida, then west to Louisiana. Despite its common name Texas star, the plant is not found naturally in Texas. In addition to the scarlet-flowering variety, a white-flowering variety is also known as the white Texas star or lone star hibiscus.
Description
H. coccineus is a herbaceous perennial (it dies back during the winter) and grows 6–8 ft (1.8–2.4 m) tall.[5] The palmately compound leaves are 5–6 in (13–15 cm) wide,[6] and look much like those of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. It features bright scarlet flowers that have five petals and are reminiscent of hollyhock.[6] These flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies and bees, including the specialized bee Ptilothrix bombiformis.[5] The plant prefers to be grown in full sun with moist soil.[7] It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 6–9.[5]
The Latin specific epithet coccineus means "coloured or dyed scarlet".[8] The genus name is the Greek and Latin name for "mallow".[6]
