Flower-of-an-hour (Hibiscus trionum, Sp. pl. 2:697. 1753)

Family: Malvaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 2:697. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Hibiscus

Vegetable: False

Observations: EC. & E. Europe to Medit. and W. Himalaya

Description

The Flower-of-an-hour, scientifically known as Hibiscus trionum, is a captivating and delicate member of the Malvaceae family. Originating from regions spanning Eastern and Central Europe to the Mediterranean and extending towards the Western Himalayas, this plant has carved out a notable presence in diverse landscapes.

Hibiscus trionum is celebrated for its ephemeral blooms, which are fleeting yet remarkably enchanting. Each blossom typically opens during the sunny part of the day, hence the charming moniker “Flower-of-an-hour.” The flowers showcase a delicate palette, often characterized by creamy, pale yellow petals adorned with a contrasting dark center, creating a striking and visually appealing display.

First documented by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, as noted in his seminal work ‘Species Plantarum’ (Sp. pl. 2:697. 1753), Hibiscus trionum has been the subject of botanical interest for centuries. Its unique flowering pattern and ornamental value have made it a favorite among gardening enthusiasts and botanists alike.

Thriving in well-drained soils and preferring sunny locales, Flower-of-an-hour can be found gracing garden beds and wild landscapes with its brief yet vivid presence. Despite its short-lived blooms, the plant consistently captures attention with its resilience and beauty.

In summary, Hibiscus trionum, or Flower-of-an-hour, is a botanical gem that blends ephemeral beauty with the enduring allure of natural charm, earning its place in diverse ecological regions and among the treasures of the plant kingdom.

Common Names

Eng: bladder ketmia, flower of an hour, flower-of-an-hour, rosemallow, venice mallow, venice-mallow, modesty, trilobate ketmia
Deu: gelbe staudenblume, stunden-eibisch, stunden-roseneibisch, stundeneibisch
Fra: hibiscus d’afrique, ketmie d’afrique, ketmie trilobée, fleur d’une heure, hibiscus
Ita: ibisco vescicoso
Dan: læge-katost, timeviser
Lit: triskiautė kinrožė
Ces: ibišek trojdílný
Est: kolmetine hibisk
Ara: teel sheitani
Swe: timvisare
Lav: trejdaivu hibisks
Nld: drie-urenbloem
Cym: cetmia chwysigennog
En: Flower-of-an-hour, Venice-mallow, Bladder ketmia, Flower of an hour, Venice mallow, Rosemallow, Modesty, Trilobate ketmia, Bladderweed, Venice rose-mallow, Flowerofanhour
Ar: Teel sheitani, تيل شيطانى، شبت (شِبَّت)
Ca: Hibisc menut
Zh: Ye xi gua miao
Cs: Ibišek trojdílný
Da: Læge-katost, Timeviser
Nl: Drie-urenbloem
Et: Kolmetine hibisk
Fr: Hibiscus d’Afrique, Ketmie d’Afrique, Ketmie trilobée, Fleur d’une heure, Hibiscus, Fleur-d’une-heure
De: Stunden-Roseneibisch, Gelbe Staudenblume, Stunden-Eibisch, Stundeneibisch, Stundenblume
He: היביסקוס משולש
It: Ibisco vescicoso
Ja: Gin-sen-ka
Ko: Subagpul
Lv: Trejdaivu hibisks
Lt: Triskiautė kinrožė
Ru: Gibiskus trojčatyj
Es: Aurora común
Sv: Timvisare
Cy: Cetmia Chwysigennog

Synonyms

• Hibiscus africanus (Mill.)
• Hibiscus armeniacus (Bouché)
• Hibiscus pusillus (Eckl. & Zeyh.)
• Hibiscus pallidus (Raf. ex S.Watson)
• Ketmia trionum ((L.) Scop.)
• Laguna ternata ((Cav.) Willd.)
• Hibiscus vesicarius (Cav.)
• Hibiscus uniflorus (E.Mey. ex Harv.)
• Hibiscus trionum var. ternatus (DC.)
• Hibiscus hastifolius (E.Mey. ex Harv.)
• Hibiscus trionum var. vesicarius ((Cav.) Hochr.)
• Trionum frutescens (Medik.)
• Trionum annuum (Medik.)
• Trionum diffusum (Moench)
• Trionum cordifolium (Moench)
• Hibiscus dissectus (Wall.)
• Hibiscus humboldtii (Schrank ex Colla)
• Abelmoschus collinsianus ((Nutt. ex Torr. & A.Gray) Alph.Wood)
• Hibiscus trionicus (St.-Lag.)
• Hibiscus collinsianus (Nutt. ex Torr. & A.Gray)
• Trionum trionum ((L.) Wooton & Standl.)
• Hibiscus ternatus (Cav.)
• Hibiscus physodes (E.Mey. ex Harv.)
• Hibiscus trionum var. cordifolius (DC.)
• Hibiscus marchallianus (Fisch. & C.A.Mey.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Amur (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Chita (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hainan (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Irkutsk (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kazakhstan (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Kirgizstan (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manchuria (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Mongolia (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Tibet (introduced)
• Turkmenistan (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Uzbekistan (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)
• Xinjiang (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Aug 12, 2020 by david david (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2021 by asel asel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2018 by sunriz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2017 by Viola Schrader (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2018 by Cornel Buzea (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 25, 2022 by Katelin Thomas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2019 by Katalea K (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2022 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2020 by schmidt100 (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 17, 2020 by Olga Olga (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2019 by tyakel3 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 28, 2021 by aria salan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Ashley Foster (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2019 by Wilhelm Rogmann (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 1, 2008 by Tela Botanica − La Spada ARTURO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 1, 2010 by Tela Botanica − La Spada ARTURO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 11, 2022 by Salvor Hardin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 28, 2021 by aria salan (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 20, 2020 by Zsuzsanna Cooke (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2022 by Diinka Pasarić (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 14, 2019 by Marijk Hoed (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2022 by Kornél Viczli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 3, 2020 by PieterJan Mellegers (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 22, 2020 by Theresa (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:122028-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3152560)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hibiscus trionum L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 7