sea hibiscus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Talipariti tiliaceum
• Pariti tiliaceum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Malvales, and the family Malvaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its genus, Hibiscus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found within the diverse landscapes of West Tropical Africa. Its presence is specifically documented in the nation of Gambia, where it thrives in local ecosystems. It also grows across various regions of Guinea, including Guinea-Bissau. Furthermore, the species is distributed throughout Ghana and the Ivory Coast. These specific locations highlight the plant's importance within this particular African climatic zone.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hibiscus tiliaceus is characterized by its preference for coastal environments, specifically thriving within beach forest habitats. This species exhibits a wide altitudinal distribution, occupying a broad elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 1065 m AMSL. This vertical spread indicates an ability to adapt to various topographical gradients, ranging from low-lying maritime zones to higher-altitude forested slopes.

Elevational range max:

1065 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

beach forest

Genetics

The genetics of Hibiscus tiliaceus are characterized by a complex chromosomal structure and varying levels of genomic composition. Scientific observations have identified multiple chromosome numbers within the species, specifically documented at 80, 92, and 96, reflecting a degree of intra-specific chromosomal variation. Despite this numerical diversity, the plant typically exhibits a diploid ploidy level, indicated by a ploidy value of 2, which serves as the fundamental chromosomal basis for its genetic inheritance and reproductive development.

Chromosome number :

80, 92, 96

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Hibiscus tiliaceus is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, facilitating its growth into a substantial structural form. This plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage throughout the year to support continuous physiological processes. Its classification as a phanerophyte further underscores its long-lived, woody architectural strategy, which enables it to establish a stable and enduring presence within its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hibiscus tiliaceus is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree. This plant is a terrestrial species and functions as an independent organism, lacking parasitic tendencies. In terms of its structural stature, it is a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or vine, and it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior. The height of the plant is quite variable, ranging from a minimum of 0.3 meters to a maximum of 12 meters, with a mean plant height of approximately 8 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height mean:

8 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hibiscus tiliaceus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production. The plant's vegetative morphology is defined by its foliar dimensions, where leaves exhibit significant variability in size; leaf length ranges from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 38 cm, while leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 8 cm and a mean/maximum of 20 cm. In terms of water storage adaptations, the species does not exhibit succulence, maintaining standard leaf tissue density rather than specialized water-storing structures. Furthermore, Hibiscus tiliaceus does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for growth.

Leaf length max:

38 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width mean:

20 cm

Leaf width min:

8 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hibiscus tiliaceus is facilitated through a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically involving birds as key pollinators. The plant produces characteristic red flowers to attract these agents. Following successful pollination, the plant develops a capsule-type fruit that is dehiscent in nature. These fruits vary in size, with a mean length of 2 cm, ranging from a minimum of 1.3 cm to a maximum of 2.8 cm. Within these capsules, the seeds are produced with a mean length of 4 mm (ranging from 4 mm to 4.5 mm) and a mean mass of approximately 0.0174775 g, with individual seed masses spanning from a minimum of 0.0156 g to a maximum of 0.02052 g. The dispersal of the species follows a hydrochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are primarily dispersed by water.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flower colour :

red

Fruit length max:

2.8 cm

Fruit length mean:

2 cm

Fruit length min:

1.3 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

bird

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

4.5 mm

Seed length mean:

4 mm

Seed mass max:

0.02052 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0174775 g

Seed mass min:

0.0156 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hibiscus tiliaceus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Journal of natural products
2. Bioorganic chemistry

Chemicals

Hibiscus tiliaceus has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Hibiscus tiliaceus has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Natural product research

Conditions

Hibiscus tiliaceus has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include breast cancer, sickle cell disease.

Breast cancer

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Sickle cell disease

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Hibiscus tiliaceus has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include infected stems, tainted stems.

Infected stems

1. Journal of natural products
2. Bioorganic chemistry

Tainted stems

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry