Hibiscus pusillus flower

The flowers of Hibiscus pusillus grow solitary from leaf axils on erect pedicels that may be up to 20 cm long. There is an epicalyx or collar of 8 to 11 long, narrow bracts below the five ovate to lanceolate sepals ending in narrow, attenuating tips.

The five rounded to flat-topped petals overlap, one lateral margin of each visible inside the shallow bowl of the corolla, in picture the ones on the right of each petal. The corolla may be pale pink, yellow or creamy white, sometimes with a deep purple or maroon eye in the centre. Corolla diameter is from 3 cm to 4 cm.

Numerous stamens are joined in a central column, all pointing outwards. The style protrudes at the top of this column. The number of its thread-like branches matches the number of carpels of the ovary. The style branches end in disc-shaped stigmas.

Flowering happens mostly during the first five months of the year, often profusely after fire. The photo was taken during May (Curtis-Scott, et al, 2020; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Manning, 2009; Pooley, 1998; Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; Gledhill, 1981; iNaturalist).