The lower leaves on some Hibiscus pusillus plants are notably narrower. The ones in picture, occasionally with lateral lobes, are deep to dull green, their surfaces coarse.
The midribs are prominent on the concave blades in their lower halves, sunken near the tips (Curtis-Scott, et al, 2020; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Manning, 2009; Pooley, 1998; Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; Gledhill, 1981; iNaturalist).