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Fork-bracted rosemallow

Hibiscus bifurcatus

Also called Forkleaf Rosemallow

Fork-bracted rosemallow
Photo: Gerry van Tonder, CC BY 4.0

Hibiscus bifurcatus is a tropical hibiscus species from Central and South America, known for its deeply forked leaves and large red, pink or white flowers. It grows best in warm, sunny conditions with consistently moist, well-drained soil.

Family
Malvaceae (Mallow family)
Light
Full sun
Water
Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged; water more in dry spells.
Soil
Well-drained loamy or sandy mix with moderate organic matter, pH 6.0 to 7.5.
Temperature
24–30 °C days, rarely below 18 °C; protect from any frost or freezing.
How easy
Moderate

About

Hibiscus bifurcatus, also known as the fork-bracted rose-mallow, is a species of tropical hibiscus native to parts of Central and South America, including Mexico, Peru, and Brazil. The species is typically found in open woodlands, forest margins, and coastal regions, where it benefits from the warm, humid conditions characteristic of these environments. These natural habitats provide the plant with an adequate supply of sunlight, moderate moisture, and well-draining soil, conditions that are crucial for its survival. The plant grows primarily at altitudes ranging from sea level to approximately 1,500 m (4,900 ft). In these Regions, the temperature is relatively stable, with daily high temperatures between 24 and 30 °C (75 and 86 °F) and low temperatures rarely dipping below 18 °C (64 °F).

Where it grows

In its native habitat, Hibiscus bifurcatus prefers trees that are well-drained, typically loamy or sandy in texture, with moderate organic content. The species is not particularly demanding in terms of soil composition but does require soils that do not retain excessive water, as waterlogged conditions can lead to root rot. Soil pH ranges from 6.0 to 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral) is ideal for promoting healthy root development. While it can tolerate brief periods of drought, it performs best in environments with consistently moist soils. This characteristic makes it well-suited for cultivation in regions that experience seasonal rainfall patterns or where irrigation can be effectively managed.

Other Hibiscus plants

Alyogyne hakeifolia · Alyogyne huegelii · Hibiscus acapulcensis · African rosemallow · Comfortroot · Cape Hibiscus · Hibiscus aponeurus · Hibiscus ×archeri · White rosemallow · Foulsapate Marron · Brackenridge's rosemallow · Lemonyellow rosemallow

Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Hibiscus bifurcatus by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.

The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.

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