I love this species! I think the petal separation with the apple-green contrast of the calyx is just gorgeous.
It seems like this species is being used in hybridization but the starry shape of the flowers is getting lost. Most hybrids seem to have large, overlapping petals (more like their H. moscheutos ancestors.) I wonder if that is a dominate trait or if it is just the breeders' preferred form?
I love that photo, Frostweed! Too fun!
I've actually never seen a pink H. coccineus that appeared to be the pure species. Hibiscus x 'Lady Baltimore' looks similar but that is a hybrid, of course. You would think that with both red and white versions available that there would be some pink but maybe the genetics just don't work that way because of an unusual mutation.
