Family: Malvaceae (Mallow Family)
Native range: Tropical seashores of Africa and Polynesia.
Description: A large shrub or medium-sized tree to 20 feet tall with a dense, spreading crown of drooping branches. The dark green leaves are about 5 to 8 inches wide and nearly circular in shape, usually with a prominent, light-colored midrib and lateral veins. Hibiscus-like, 5- to 6-inch wide, solitary flowers are yellow with a reddish-maroon center. The flowers begin yellow then gradually change to reddish-maroon by late afternoon before they fall. Flowers are produced all year. Fruit is a brown, multi-seeded, ovoid capsule from 1 to 1 1/4 inch wide.
Ecological threat: Mahoe invades shoreline habitats and can outcompete native strand vegetation. The dense shade produced by its broad leaves enable it to take over large areas by shading out its shoreline competitors. Seeds float in seawater and can be carried by currents to colonize distant shores.
Distribution in Florida: Central and southern Florida, including the Florida Keys.
Background: Background: Introduced as a salt- and drought-tolerant flowering tree for coastal plantings, but seen planted far inland as well. If left unpruned, a single specimen can take over a large area, with a crown spread of 30 feet or more. A similar-looking species, Hibiscus pernambucensis, with solid yellow flowers (without the reddish-maroon center) is considered to be native to Florida by some recent authors. |
