Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., Malvaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  Low risk, score: -2 (Go to the risk assessment)

Common name(s): [more details]

Chamorro: gumamela

English: China rose, Chinese hibiscus, Hawaiian hibiscus, hibiscus, red hibiscus, rose of China, shoeblack plant

Fijian: kauti, loloru, sengguelu, senithikombia, senitoa

French: hibiscus à fleur rouge, rose de Chine

Hawaiian: aloalo

Japanese: aka-bana, busoge

Maori (Cook Islands): kaute, kaute ‘enua, kaute kumu

Marshallese: rooj

Palauan: bussonge

Pohnpeian: kalau n wai, keleu en wai, keleun wai

Samoan: ‘aute, ‘aute

Spanish: clavel japonés

Tahitian: ‘aute

Tongan: kaute

Tongarevan (spoken): kaute kula

Tongarevan (written): kaute kura

Tuamotuan: ‘aute

Habit:  shrub

Description:  "A woody shrub 2-4 m tall, richly branched, the branches erect or drooping, glabrous, leaves ovate acuminate crenate-serrate, green on both sides, about 6-10 cm long, subcordate, on petioles shorter than the blades; flowers axillary, large and showy; epicalyx of 5 or more ovate-lanceolate bracts; calyx green, 5-(or more)-lobed; corolla campanulate or broadly funelform, mostly 8-10 cm broad, usually bright red; staminal tube considerably longer than the corolla, often nodding or pendulous, or the flower pendulous; corolla (some forms) may be doubled; capsule (rarely produced) ovoid rounded, 5-valved, 15-seeded (or less)"  (Stone, 1970; p. 411).

Habitat/ecology:  In Fiji, "cultivated widely between sea level and 500 m elevation; it is also freely naturalized along trails and in thickets and forest"  (Smith, 1981; p. 420).

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  "Widely cultivated, probable origin tropical Asia " (GRIN). "Probably indigenous in eastern Africa" (Smith, 1981; p. 420).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 162)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 162)
Cook Islands Northern Cook Islands	Manihiki Atoll	introduced cultivated abo. intro.	McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Northern Cook Islands	Nassau Island	introduced cultivated abo. intro.	McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Northern Cook Islands	Penrhyn (Tongareva) Island	introduced cultivated abo. intro.	McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Northern Cook Islands	Rakahanga Atoll	introduced cultivated abo. intro.	McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Northern Cook Islands	Suwarrow (Taka) Atoll	introduced cultivated abo. intro.	McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island	introduced cultivated abo. intro.	McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island	introduced cultivated abo. intro.	McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Ma‘uke Island	introduced cultivated abo. intro.	McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Miti‘aro Island	introduced cultivated abo. intro.	McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Palmerston (Avarau) Island	introduced cultivated abo. intro.	McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	introduced cultivated abo. intro.	McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Floreana Group	Floreana Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Isabela Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) San Cristóbal Group	San Cristóbal Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Etal (Ettan) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 162)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Lukunor (Núkúnooch) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 162)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Namonuito (Namonweito, Nómwun Wiité) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 162)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Tol Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 162)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Tim (2005) (p. 17)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 162)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Tim (1998) (p. 24) Voucher cited: Lorence 8103 (PTBG)
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Fais Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 162)
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Yap (Waqab) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 162)
Fiji Fiji Islands	Kandavu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1981) (p. 420) Voucher cited: Smith 323
Fiji Fiji Islands	Mbengga Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1981) (p. 420) Voucher cited: Weiner 164
Fiji Fiji Islands	Moturiki Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1981) (p. 420) Voucher cited: Seemann 22
Fiji Fiji Islands	Nayau Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1981) (p. 420) Voucher cited: Bryan, Sept. 12, 1924
Fiji Fiji Islands	Ovalau Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1981) (p. 420) Voucher cited: U.S. Expl. Exped., Milne 241, MacGillivray Oct. 1854, Bryan 606, Gillespie 4453
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1981) (p. 420) Voucher cited: Greenwood 637
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1981) (p. 420) Vouchers cited: H.B.R. Parham s.n., DA 12295, DA 12332
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island	introduced cultivated abo. intro.	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced cultivated abo. intro.	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Tahuata (Tuhuata) Island	introduced cultivated abo. intro.	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island	introduced cultivated abo. intro.	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Pou (Huapu, Uapou, Uapu) Island	introduced cultivated abo. intro.	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island		Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 72)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island		Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 72)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Taha‘a Island		Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 72)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 72)
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Puka Puka Atoll	introduced cultivated abo. intro.	McCormack, Gerald (2008)
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Raro‘ia Atoll	introduced cultivated abo. intro.	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008) (p. 14)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced cultivated	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 411)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 162) Also var. liliflorus Hochr.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island		Bishop Museum (U.S.A. Hawaii. Honolulu.) (1990) (voucher ID: BISH 589024) Taxon name on voucher: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island		Bishop Museum (U.S.A. Hawaii. Honolulu.) (1909) (voucher ID: BISH 57657) Taxon name on voucher: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.
Kiribati Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands	Tarawa Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 162)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Jaluit (Jãlwõj) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 162)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 162)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 162)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Vander Velde, Nancy (2003) (p. 105)
New Caledonia Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands)	Île Lifou	introduced invasive cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 97) Vouchers cited: Deplanche 122, Daniker 2137 Spontané
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 97) Vouchers cited: Balansa 1052, MacKee 27927
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated abo. intro.	Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 114) Voucher cited: CHR 170327
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 162)
Palau Sonsorol Group	Sonsorol Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 162)
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands	Pitcairn Island	introduced	St. John, H. (1987) (p. 41) Voucher cited: Fosberg 11244 (US)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
China China	China (People's Republic of)	probably native cultivated	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2007)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Christmas Island Group	Christmas Island	introduced cultivated	Swarbrick, J. T. (1997) (p. 115)
British Indian Ocean Territory Chagos Archipelago	Diego Garcia Island	introduced cultivated	Whistler, W. Arthur (1996) (p. 34)
British Indian Ocean Territory Chagos Archipelago	Diego Garcia Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Rivers, Julie (2004) (pp. 4, 8)

Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	USA (Florida)	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. (2009)

Additional information:
Additional online information about Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Information about Hibiscus rosa-sinensis as a weed (worldwide references) may be available from the Global Compendium of Weeds (GCW).

Taxonomic information about Hibiscus rosa-sinensis may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Bishop Museum (U.S.A. Hawaii. Honolulu.). 1909. Voucher specimen #BISH57657(Rock, J.F.C. 2604).

Bishop Museum (U.S.A. Hawaii. Honolulu.). 1990. Voucher specimen #BISH589024(Lorence, D.H. 6478).

Charles Darwin Foundation. 2008. Database inventory of introduced plant species in the rural and urban zones of Galapagos. Charles Darwin Foundation, Galapagos, Ecuador.

Falanruw, Marjorie C./Maka, Jean E./Cole, Thomas G./Whitesell, Craig D. 1990. Common and scientific names of trees and shrubs of Mariana, Caroline, and Marshall Islands. Pac. SW Forest and Range Expt. Stn. Resource Bulletin PSW-67. 91 pp.

Fosberg, F. R. 1997. Preliminary checklist of the flowering plants and ferns of the Society Islands. Ed. by David R. Stoddart. U. Cal. Berkeley.

Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce. 1979. A geographical checklist of the Micronesian dicotyledonae. Micronesica 15:1-295.

Lorence, David H./Flynn, Tim. 1998. Checklist of the plants of Pohnpei. Unpublished checklist. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Hawai‘i. 21 pp.

Lorence, David H./Flynn, Tim. 2005. Checklist of the plants of Kosrae. Unpublished checklist. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Hawai‘i. 23 pp.

Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. 2008. Flora of the Marquesas Islands. National Tropical Botanical Garden and the Smithsonian Institution. Online database.

MacKee, H. S. 1994. Catalogue des plantes introduites et cultivées en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, 164 p.

McCormack, Gerald. 2008. Cook Islands Biodiversity Database, Version 2007.2. Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust, Rarotonga.

Meyer, Jean-Yves/Fourdrigniez, Marie. 2008. Rapport de mission sur l'atoll de Raro‘ia (Tuamotu Centre) du 12 au 19 Octobre 2008: Inventaire preliminaire de la flore vasculaire. de l'avifaune terrestre & marine, et recommandations de conservation et de gestion [unpublished report]. Délégation à la Recherche, Ministère de l'Education, l'Enseignement Supérieur et la Recherche, B.P. 20981 Papeete, Tahiti, Polynésie française. 24 pp.

Rivers, Julie. 2004. Botanical survey update of Diego Garcia, Chagos Archipeligo, British Indian Ocean Territory. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific. 16 pp. plus "List of the higher plants of Diego Garcia".

Smith, Albert C. 1981. Flora Vitiensis nova: a new flora of Fiji. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Kauai, Hawaii. Volume 2. 810 pp.

St. John, H. 1987. An account of the flora of Pitcairn Island with new Pandanus species. Honolulu, 65 pp.

Staples, George W./Herbst, Derral R. 2005. A tropical garden flora: plants cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and other tropical places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 908 pp.

Stone, Benjamin C. 1970. The flora of Guam. Micronesica 6:1-659.

Swarbrick, J. T. 1997. Environmental weeds and exotic plants on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean: a report to Parks Australia. 101 pp. plus appendix.

Sykes, W. R. 1970. Contributions to the flora of Niue. New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Bulletin 200, Wellington. 321 pp.

U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. 2009. National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online searchable database.

U.S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. 2009. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

Vander Velde, Nancy. 2003. The vascular plants of Majuro Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands. Smithsonian Institution, Atoll Research Bulletin No. 503:1-141.

Whistler, W. A. 1990. Ethnobotany of the Cook Islands: The plants, their Maori names, and their uses. Allertonia 5(4):347-424.

Whistler, W. Arthur. 1996. Botanical survey of Diego Garcia, Chagos Archipelago, British Indian Ocean Territory. Isle Botanica. 49 pp.

Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong. 2007. Flora of China (online resource).