Hibiscus Schizopetalus is a lovely, fast-growing shrub, native to the tropical east coast of Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique). Its common names include fringed rosemallow, Japanese lantern, coral hibiscus, and spider hibiscus.
The mature plant can reach a heigh of 3 meters and a width of 2 meters. Its slender stems are gracefully curved. The pendant bright red or coral pink flowers have elaborately dissected and recurved petals and dangling stamens. Its long green leaves are deeply toothed.
Exotic as this wonderful flower looks, it is not the result of breeding by horticulturalists, but is one of the original forms of hibiscus. These flowers are attractive to butterflies, particularly some of the larger swallowtails.
Hibiscus schizopetalus is cultivated as an ornamental plant, for use in tropical and subtropical gardens. It does not tolerate temperatures below 10°C.
The coral hibiscus bloom was captured in a palm house of the botanical garden of the University of Basel.