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Halberd-leaved Rosemallow (Hibiscus laevis)

• Family: Mallow (Malvaceae)
• Flowering: July-September.
• Field Marks: This large-flowered rosemallow has some of its leaves lobed near the base.
• Habitat: Along streams, around ponds and lakes, in sloughs, roadside ditches, sometimes in shallow standing water.
• Habit: Robust perennial herb.
• Stems: Erect, unbranched, smooth to hairy, up to 6 feet tall.
• Leaves: Alternate, simple, ovate, pointed at the tip, sometimes with a pair of lobes at the base, toothed, hairy on the lower surface, up to 10 inches long.
• Flowers: Solitary from the axils of the leaves, usually white with a dark rose center, up to 4 inches long, borne on a stalk up to 6 inches long.
• Sepals: 5, green.
• Petals: 5, white with a dark rose base, free from each other.
• Stamens: Numerous, attached to a central column in the flower.
• Pistils: Ovary superior; stigmas 5, protruding from the central column in the flower.
• Fruits: Capsule ovoid, containing many seeds.
• Notes: This species used to be known as H. militaris. The seeds are eaten by waterfowl and bobwhite quail.