Hibiscus tiliaceus

Hibiscus tiliaceus

(Beach Hibiscus, Coast Cottonwood)

FAMILY

Malvaceae

Species

Hibiscus tiliaceus

Common name(s)

Beach Hibiscus, Coast Cottonwood

Flower colour; life form

Yellow with maroon centre; tree

Campus

Cairns, Townsville

Description

This bushy tree, usually branching from just above the ground has large heart-shaped leaves with a covering of stellate or star-shaped hairs giving it a greyish appearance. The flowers are about 12 cm diameter, petals to 7 cm long, yellow with maroon at the base. Fruit is a woody capsule, 5-valved to 2.5 cm long. Young shoots and flowers may be eaten, and twigs may be used in wet weather as firewood.