Hibiscus saintjohnianus

M.J.Roe (1961)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Malvales Family: Malvaceae Genus: Hibiscus

Hawaiian orange hibiscus, koki‘o [kokio], koki‘o ‘ula, koki‘o ‘ula‘ula [kokio ula], koki‘o ‘ula‘ula [kokio ulaula], maku, mākū

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Shrubs to small trees (1–)3–7 m tall.

Stems: Stiffly pubescent distally with sessile, bifurcate to stellate hairs.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades elliptic to oblong–elliptic, ovate or sometimes obovate, 3–10(–21) cm long, 1.5–6(–11) cm wide, unlobed. Apex acute to acuminate. Base broadly cuneate to obtuse. Upper surfaces glabrous to glabrate; lower surfaces glabrate to moderately pubescent, Green, glossy, subcoriaceous. Margins crenate to serrate, sometimes undulate in upper ½ or more, occasionally entire. Petioles 0.5–4(–7) cm long, stellate pubescent adaxially in a canalized line. Stipules subulate to lanceolate–linear, (2.5–)4–13 mm long.

Flowers: Flowers solitary, borne near the ends of branches; pedicels 1–4 cm long, articulate, involucral bracts shorter relative to the length of the calyx, subulate to lanceolate-linear, 7–15(–17) mm long, 0.8–2(–3) mm wide. Flowers bisexual (perfect). Calyx yellowish, smooth, narrowly to broadly tubular (2.1–)2.8–3.5(–4) cm long, lobes deltate 0.5–1.5(–1.7) cm long, acute, glandular pubescent. Corolla actinomorphic to moderately zygomorphic, rotate to campanulate or tubular, corolla of 5 petals, usually orange to orangish red or even yellow, linear–oblong to long–obovate, 4.5–7(–8) cm long, spreading to reflexed, linear–oblong to long–obovate, 4.5–7(–8.5) cm long, spreading to reflexed, lower surface usually densely pubescent, obovate, distinct from each other but adnate at base to staminal column, convolute in bud. Stamens monadelphous, forming a staminal column, exserted, red to orange, sometimes grading to whitish at base, 4–6.5 cm long; filaments clustered below the strongly 5–toothed apex of the staminal column, spreading, 0.4–0.8 cm long; anthers monothecal. Pollen globose, echinate. Ovary superior, 5-celled or rarely appearing 10-celled by a vertical partition, the carpels borne in a single whorl or rarely seemingly superposed whorls, placentation axile; ovules 3 or more per cell; style exceeding the staminal column, 5- branched, branches spreading in a flat whorl, 0.7-1 cm long, usually pilose; stigmas discoid-fibriate, 1-2 mm in diameter.

Fruit: Loculicidally dehiscent capsules; pale brown; obovoid; 1.6–1.8 cm long; obscurely pubescent; exocarp and endocarp sometimes separating at maturity. Seeds dark brown; angular-reniform; 3-5 mm long; sparsely pubescent; with or without endosperm.

Ploidy: 2n = 82*; 84*

Habitat: Scattered populations from dry to wet forest.

Elevation Range: 150–890(–1,100) m.

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Endemic

Island Status

Kaua'i Endemic

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Pacific Sci. 15: 18 (1961)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:887 (K [as H. kokio subsp. saintjohnianus]); Staples & Herbst 2005:387 (KEY), 389 (DESCR); Huppman 2013/Thomson & Mashburn 2022:163 (Syn. H. k. subsp. saintjohnianus = H. saintjohnianus)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details shrubs to trees over 25' tall Preserved_Specimen orange hibiscus Christensen, C. Kauai BISH 1975-08-25
2 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Waimea Distr., bottom of short Nualolo Trail Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 158 Kauai BISH 1969-09-30
3 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Christensen, C. 32 Kauai BISH 1975-08-25
4 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Lydgate, J.M. Kauai BISH
5 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 462 Kauai BISH 1913-09-01
6 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Waimea drainage basin, W side, Nuololo pali Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 963 Kauai BISH 1917-07-03
7 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. Kauai BISH 1969-01-01
8 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Christensen, C. Kauai BISH 1975-06-07
9 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Alexander, D. Kauai BISH 1913-01-01
10 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1984-07-20
11 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Openings in dryland forest. Preserved_Specimen Shrubs to 8 ft. tall. Many flowers have eyespots. Pop. 12 plants. Christensen, C. 31 Kauai BISH 1975-06-07
12 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Moist, wooded gulch. Preserved_Specimen Tree 9 m x 2 dm.; flowers bright red, petals recurving. St.John, H. 23168 Kauai BISH 1948-01-01
13 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details A few on steep slope. Preserved_Specimen 2 1/2-3 1/2 m. tall, narrow stemmed shrubs; leaves longer than typical. Hobdy, R.W. 2628 Kauai BISH 1986-09-06
14 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Openings in dryland forest. Preserved_Specimen Shrubs to 8 ft. tall. Many flowers have eyespots. Pop. 12 plants. Christensen, C. 32 Kauai BISH 1975-06-07
15 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Acacia koa- Metrosideros mesic forest. With Nestegis sandwicensis, Santalum pyrularium, Pleomele aurea, Dodonaea viscosa, Planchonella sandwicensis, Bobea brevipes, Melicope barbigera, Leptecophylla, Rubus argustus, Lantana camara, Corenoca Preserved_Specimen Several scattered shrubs with flowers, flower color orange Perlman, S. 23031 Kauai BISH 2012-10-02
16 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details dry forest, shelf between 2 cliffs Preserved_Specimen flower dark orange, purple eyespot Christensen, C. 43 Kauai BISH 1976-08-01
17 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details In gully above cliff in NE upper valley. Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 3244 Kauai BISH 1990-08-18
18 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Patch of forest on steep basalt headland. Preserved_Specimen Trees 5 m x 8 cm. Leaves bright, shiney green. Corolla when fresh red-orange within, scarlet without but, when older, becoming more red. St.John, H. 25989 Kauai BISH 1956-12-22
19 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Clinging to cliff side. Preserved_Specimen Shrub, flowers handsome, red or red-orange. Stern, W.L. 1341 Kauai BISH 1961-08-01
20 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Above cliff in NE upper valley. Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 3240 Kauai BISH 1990-08-18
21 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Napali Coast, headland west of Hanakapiai On sharply precipitous slope. Preserved_Specimen Petals Coral Red; leaves Spinach Green. St.John, H. 25989 Kauai BISH 1956-12-22
22 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Napali Coast, headland west of Hanakapiai On sharply precipitous slope. Preserved_Specimen Petals Coral Red; leaves Spinach Green. St.John, H. 25989 Kauai BISH 1956-12-22
23 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Dryland forest at base of vertical cliffs. Preserved_Specimen Single plant with dark orange flower; purple spot at base of petals. Flower only open enough to show style branches. Christensen, C. 53 Kauai BISH 1976-08-23
24 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Wet forest. Preserved_Specimen Christensen, C. 66 Kauai BISH 1976-10-18
25 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Growing on steep valley wall near waterfall. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 3-4 ft. in height. Flowers reddish-orange in color. Clarke, G. 12 Kauai BISH 1979-07-17
26 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details dryland forest; Diospyros, Pisonia, Metrosideros, Psidium, Lantana, Perrottetia, Antidesma Preserved_Specimen Christensen, C. 24 Kauai BISH 1976-06-29
27 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen to 2 m shrub, sparse wand like branches; leaves glossy, below dull; calyx green, epicalyx brick red; corolla pale orange, dark maroon center Lorence, D.H. 8519 Kauai BISH 2001-03-16
28 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Subarborescent, flowers bright orange. Stone, B.C. 3748 Kauai BISH 1961-08-14
29 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Another plant with much darker orange, nearly red, flowers. Stone, B.C. 3749 Kauai BISH 1961-08-14
30 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen to 9'; flower has eyespot Christensen, C. 30 Kauai BISH 1975-09-28
31 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Shrub 12 ft. tall Kauai BISH 1975-08-19
32 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen to 10 ft. Christensen, C. 29 Kauai BISH 1975-08-19
33 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Tree 6 m x 8 cm. Leaves subcoriaceous shiney bright green. Calyx bright green, corolla reddish orange. St.John, H. 25543 Kauai BISH 1955-01-18
34 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen red-orange Hibiscus Christensen, C. Kauai BISH 1975-08-30
35 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Shrubs 8 ft. tall. Flowers orange. Christensen, C. Kauai BISH 1975-09-28
36 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen fl red-dull orange [?]; column red. Perlman, S. Kauai BISH 1977-09-08
37 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 963 Kauai BISH 1917-07-03
38 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Christensen, L. 2 Kauai BISH 1975-06-08
39 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Small red hibiscus. Christensen, C. Kauai BISH 1975-08-19
40 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Above cliff in NE upper valley. Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 3252 Kauai BISH 1990-08-18
41 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Tree 6 m x 8 cm. Leaves subcoriaceous shiney bright green. Calyx bright green, corolla reddish orange. St.John, H. 25543 Kauai BISH 1955-01-18
42 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Tree 6 m x 8 cm. Leaves subcoriaceous shiney bright green. Calyx bright green, corolla reddish orange. St.John, H. 25543 Kauai BISH 1955-01-18
43 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Bushes 3-4ft high; flowers brick red. Forbes, C.N. 462 Kauai BISH 1913-09-01
44 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen shrub; bright orange flower; much variation in leaf shape and size, flower color and size Herbst, D.R. 2109 Kauai BISH 1971-09-04
45 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Fay, J.J. 34 Kauai BISH
46 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Leaves dark-green, shiny. Petals burnt-orange (Nopal red) at tips, grading to orange (Carnelian red) toward center and still lighter toward base; staminal column light-pink, filaments pink; stigma red; calyx light-green; each petal reflexed at tip on one side. Clay, H.F. Kauai BISH
47 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen orange Perlman, S. Kauai BISH 1977-09-08
48 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Red-orange hibiscus. Christensen, C. Kauai BISH 1975-08-19
49 Hibiscus saintjohnianus Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen shrub; yellow orange flower; much variation in leaf shape and size, flower color and size Herbst, D.R. 2110 Kauai BISH 1971-09-04