Hibiscus vitifolius calyx and epicalyx

Seen from behind, the Hibiscus vitifolius flower reveals both its five-lobed calyx positioned against the corolla and the lower epicalyx comprising ten narrow or linear bracts. Both these structures are green and hairy.

The calyx lobes are ovate to elliptic, attached to each other in their lower halves and tapering to acutely pointed tips. A few parallel, longitudinal ridges occur, raised upon each sepal surface but not quite reaching the tip or margin.

The calyx is less than half the length of the corolla, the epicalyx slightly shorter. Flower peduncles are from 1 cm to 1,5 cm long, also softly and shortly hairy.

Pleats or ridges on the corolla, also longitudinal and nearly parallel, are prominent upon the outside petal surfaces. The petal tips looking ragged here from some damage, are usually smoother although somewhat irregularly curving (Pooley, 1998; Manning, 2009; Blundell, 1992; www.zimbabweflora.co.zw).