Hibiscus pusillus pointed buds

The green buds of Hibiscus pusillus on their long stalks have needle-like epicalyces, each consisting of more lobes than the calyx itself.

The epicalyx veers away from the pointed, creamy and green-rimmed sepals forming the still closed calyx. They cover the corolla and the more intimate floral parts being prepared inside for exposure to the world, particularly their insect pollinators (Curtis-Scott, et al, 2020; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Manning, 2009; Pooley, 1998; Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; Gledhill, 1981; iNaturalist).