Study species and site
Hibiscus mutabilis (Malvaceae) is a hermaphroditic perennial
shrub or small tree cultivated in many areas of both north and south
China. This species is almost certainly native to China but was
domesticated a long time ago. Flowering individuals can grow up to 2~5
m high. Flowers are solitary and axillary on the upper branches. Each
flower is actinomorphic, with five petals, one staminal column, five
styles, and one campanulate calyx. The corolla is white or reddish. The
nectary is located at the base of the calyx. Flowering generally occurs
from July to November. The flower longevity of one single flower lasts
only 1~2 days. This study was conducted during the flowering season of
2023 in a field located at 104°45′29″E, 30°40′45″N, 433.1 m above sea
level, about 39 km southeast of Jintang County, Sichuan Province, China.