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Wild Hibiscus in Botswana

My first experience of these wild flowers was Hibiscus engleri, I was amazed
by the startling flower that had sprung up, so tall, regal and gorgeous on
the edge of a rubbish pile. Obviously I went to take a closer look. Which
was a mistake! Not only were my fingers pricked with a thousand tiny
bristly hairs, but my clothes were too, and became unbearable to wear.
Typical of our indigenous flora, a hidden malevolence masked by
unexpected beauty. Thankfully, most of the other Hibiscuses in
Botswana are benign and beautiful. There are far more than shown in the
photos opposite, we have over 25 species of Hibiscus indigenous to
Botswana, and they deserve to be cultivated in our gardens, and not seen as
weeds of wastelands.
They are mostly perennials, but the foliage usually dies back in winter, with
regrowth in spring from a woody rootstock underground. There are also
a few annuals like H. sidiformis, which is a small plant up to about 20-30cm,
with lovely creamy-yellow flowers. H. dongolensis is commonly seen around
Francistown, and the rest shown opposite were all photographed in the
greater Gaborone area. Flowering time depends on the rains, but is usually
from January to May, with Hibiscus engleri outlasting the rest. Not only do
the plants flower prolifically, and look glorious, but they are very important
food sources for all sorts of insect life. Text & photos by S.C

Below: Hibiscus nigricaulis
Opposite Page: H. pusillus; H. trionum; H. sidiformis; H. micranthus; H. dongolensis; H. engleri