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Common Name: Swamp Rose Mallow

General Information

Hibiscus moscheutos is a perennial plant producing a few to many stems that can become woody, especially near the base; it can grow up to 2.50 metres tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens.
Hibiscus moscheutos is widespread and while it is possibly declining in parts of its range, it is not thought that any
global population decline is likely to meet (or be close to meeting) the threshold for Vulnerable . The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2015)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Central and eastern N. America - Wisconsin and Ontario to New Hampshire, south to northern Mexico, New Mexico, Texas and Florida

Habitat

Brackish and freshwater marshes, shores of lakes, floodplain pools, beaver ponds, roadside ditches, farm ponds; at elevations up to 400 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	2.50 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

One report says that Hibiscus moscheutos is moderately cold-resistant, tolerating winter temperatures falling to around -25°c, then this same report also says that the plant succeeds outdoors in temperate zones only in those areas where winter temperatures do not fall below about -5°c[].
Prefers a well-drained humus rich fertile soil in a sheltered position in full sun[]. Well-suited to a water-side planting[].
Plants of the cultivar 'Southern Belle' have been seen growing outdoors at Kew Gardens, they are situated on a south-east facing wall of the Temperate House and have been there for at least 3 years as of 2000[].
A very ornamental plant[], there are many named varieties[].
The rose mallow bee (Ptilothrix bombiformis) is oligolectic on swamp rose-mallow, meaning it pollinates no other plant[].

Edible Uses

Although there are no reports of edibility for this species, most of the plants in this family have edible leaves and flowers[].
The flowers are about 15cm in diameter[], though in some cultivars they are up to 25cm in diameter[]. They have a mild flavour and somewhat mucilaginous texture with a slight bitterness in the aftertaste[].
The leaves are rather bland and are also mucilaginous, but have a slight hairiness to them which detracts a little from the pleasure of eating them[].

Medicinal

The leaves and roots abound in mucilage[]. Like many other plants in this family, they are demulcent and emollient and are used in the treatment of dysentery, lung ailments and urinary ailments[]. An infusion of the dried stalks has been used in the treatment of inflammation of the bladder[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a warm greenhouse. Germination is usually fairly rapid and no special pretreatment is needed, although germination will be faster if the seed is abraded or soaked prior to sowing[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in the greenhouse for their first year and to plant them out in early summer of the following year.
Some reports say that the seed can be sown in situ outside and that it gives a good rate of germination[, , ].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame. They generally strike readily, particularly if cuttings are taken on an angle through a node and rooting hormone is applied to their ends[]. Overwinter them in a warm greenhouse and plant out after the last expected frosts.
Division of the rootstock in the spiring.