Hibiscus, halberd-leaf rosemallow

Description:

a herbaceous perennial flower native to central and eastern North America. Their showy, creamy-white or pink flowers are large, up to 6 inches (15 cm) across, and are hard to miss. These flowers require exposure to sunlight to open up properly, and then last only a single day. The unbranched stems of this plant are round and hairless, frequently growing to 6 feet (2 m) tall and sometimes taller. The root system includes a taproot. The hairless leaves are alternate, 3 to 6 inches (8 to 15 cm) long, divided into 3-5 pointed lobes (cleft) and have serrate or crenate edges. They are simple and pointed at the tip. The leaves with three lobes resemble a medieval halberd because the middle lobe is much larger than the two side lobes. The five-lobed leaves also look like halberds or daggers. Flowers are solitary or occur in small clusters at the tops of the upper stems. They are fairly large, about 5 inches (13 cm) across when fully open. They are mostly white or light pink, but the inside throat of the flower is often maroon or a rich purplish pink color. Each flower has five petals with five hairless green sepals below. There are numerous stamens, all attached to a central column. The pistils have superior ovaries and five stigmas protruding from the central column in the flower. The fruit is an ovoid capsule containing many seeds. The blooming period can occur from mid-summer to early fall (June to September) and lasts about a month. This plant spreads by reseeding itself. The stalks die down in the winter and grow back in the spring. This plant prefers full or partial sun and moist conditions. It can grow in sand or clay with sufficient moisture, and can tolerate poor drainage. They are frequently found along streams, ponds and lakes and in marshy areas, roadside ditches, and sometimes in shallow standing water. The seeds of this plant are eaten by waterfowl and bobwhite quail.

Habitat:

West Ridge Nature Park in the heart of Chicago's northside, about a mile west of Lake Michigan, contains approximately 20 acres of woodland, wetland, and lagoon habitat. This natural area offers meandering pathways, boardwalks, and fishing areas. In 2015, the Chicago Park District and City of Chicago dedicated Park #568 which is now known as West Ridge Nature Park. The 21-acre site lies at the northwest corner of Rosehill Cemetery. One of Chicago’s oldest burial grounds, Rosehill Cemetery was dedicated in 1859. Landscape gardener William Saunders, a national leader in the Rural Cemetery Movement, created Rosehill Cemetery’s original design which included curving drives, swaths of lawn, and several water features. Through the cemetery’s history, the area at the northwest corner included a pond. Until its recent conversion to parkland, however, the 21-acre site remained an undeveloped part of the cemetery that had never been used for burials. That heavily wooded corner had been used as a dumping ground for excess dirt and debris. After acquiring the site in 2011, the Chicago Park District hired Hitchcock Design Group to create a plan that combines ecological restoration goals with park enhancements. The improvements include a multi-purpose trail that loops throughout the park, boardwalks that cross over environmentally sensitive areas, removal of invasive plants, and the addition of more than 500 native trees and shrubs.

Notes:

Each flower lasts only a single day.