Hibiscus incanus Available From Plant Delights.

I am happy to report that Plant Delights is offering Hibiscus incanus to the hobby after an absence of 125 years.

Hibiscus moscheutos var. incanus (Hairy Large Flowered Perennial Mallow)
http://www.plantdelights.com/Hibiscus-moscheutos-var-incanus/productinfo/9630/

Here is the reference to Dr. Gray’s paper on Hibiscus incanus, which was found, completed on his desk after his death and published posthumously. This was the last paper published by Dr. Gray.

Title: New or Rare Plants
Author(s): Asa Gray
Source: Botanical Gazette, Vol. 13, No. 4 (Apr., 1888), p. 73
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2993990

There is the text of the paper dealing with Hibiscus incanus:

"Hibiscus incanus, Wendl. Doubting the sulphur colored or straw-yellow petals, I referred this species to H. lasiocarpos Cav. in Proc. Am. Acad. xxii, 302. But I find that Dr. Chapman well knows the yellow-flowered plant, and I have now received it from Alabama, from F. J. Muller through Prof. Meehan. Chapman's character is a good one, but I have passed some dried specimens for a form of H. Moscheutos, which it much resembles. I have confirmed H. lasiocarpos Cav. for the hairy-fruited species, by referring to the original in herb. Jussieu at Paris. I here record the rehabilitation of H. incanus, because in these days catalogues are so numerously and promptly published."

Plant Delights describes the Hibiscus as: The 5' tall stalks are clothed with velvety silver leaves and topped all summer with funnel-shaped white flowers, each highlighted with a maroon throat.” In the photograph on the Plant Delights website the petals of Hibiscus incanus are white and don’t appear to contain even a hint of straw-yellow color but color variations were reported in the species. Hibiscus incanus is no longer relegated to the ranks of Crypto Botany. I am continuing my search for a Hibiscus incanus which is of an unquestionable yellow color. This is a step in the right direction.

Here is a map of were Hibiscus incanus was found:

Google Maps: "Lake Iamonia, Tallahassee, Leon, Florida"
http://goo.gl/maps/nHlg

For additional information see the second post in this thread:

Hibiscus "Giant Yellow" Identification (circa 1900)
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1169716/

Mike

This message was edited Jun 11, 2012 6:35 AM

Just when I had a firm control on my self control...and hadn't bought anything from PDN since last summer. Sigh......
Hibiscus are my weakness.....

Barb

Courage Barb, a counselor from the PDN Anonymous Chapter of Dave’s Garden will contact you and talk you through your period of temptation. The Hibiscus is unusual but the flower is white and not yellow and is not the one I am looking for. I have sent PDN all of my files on the Warrior Yellow at their request. They organize plant hunts during the summer and I hope to interest them in the Warrior Yellow search.

Based on the pubescence of the leaves, this Hibiscus may have a higher resistance to insect predation. Also, it may be a likely candidate to extend range of ornamental hardy Hibiscus further south. I would be very interested to see how it performs in Zones 5 &4 as well as 9 & 10.

Mike