Common Name: Flower Of An Hour

General Information

Hibiscus trionum is a much-branched, annual to short-lived perennial plant growing from a strong taproot with many slender lateral roots near the soil surface; it can grow 25 - 70cm tall. It is commonly called 'Flower of an Hour' because its white flowers open for only a few hours before wilting[, , ].
The plant is gathered from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].
The plant often escapes from cultivation and becomes naturalized[]. However, it is easily kept in check and is rarely a serious nuisance[].

Known Hazards

The oil from the seed contains gossypol. It is believed that this substance, when ingested, causes reduced sperm levels and infertility in men[, ].

Botanical References

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Range

The original native range is obscure, the plant is widely naturalized in tropical and temperate regions of Europe, Asia and Africa.

Habitat

Cultivated ground and waste places in S.E. Europe[]. Common in moist to wet disturbed soils throughout its mainly tropical and subtropical range[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Hibiscus trionum is not a very cold-tolerant plant, being damaged or killed by a few degrees of frost. It can usually be grown successfully as an annual in cooler climates with a moderately long growing season, whilst it is more likely to become perennial in the tropics.
Prefers a well-drained, humus-rich, fertile soil in a sheltered position in full sun[]. Plants dislike shade[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked[, ]. Mucilaginous, without much flavour[].

Flowers - raw or cooked[]. Mucilaginous, without much flavour[].

Root - it is edible but very fibrous[]. Mucilaginous, without very much flavour[].

Medicinal

The flowers are diuretic[]. They are used in the treatment of itch and painful skin diseases[, ].

The dried leaves are said to be expectorant and stomachic[, ]. They are used to treat warts[].

An infusion of the ground up shoots is used to clean wounds; it relieves pain and helps in drying the wound[]. It is also used as a treatment against roundworm and as a stomachic[].

Other Uses

The seeds contain 22 - 24% oil, and a small quantity of gossypol[]. See notes above on 'Known Hazards'. No uses of the oil are mentioned[].

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. If growing them as annuals, plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and protect them with a frame or cloche until they are growing away well. If hoping to grow them as perennials, then it is better to grow them on in the greenhouse for their first year and to plant them out in early summer of the following year.