Editorial Introduction:|President's Message:|An Interview with Roz and Pat Merritt|Marvellous Mallows|New Board of Directors & Other VIPs|International Hibiscus Photo Gallery|
Editorial Introduction
(Damon
Veach)
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It’s summer here
in the Northern Hemisphere, but even with winter Down Under, members of the International
Hibiscus Society have continued to enjoy beautiful blooms on a daily basis. Not only this, but everyone has been able to gain a wealth of information
that has been presented by our members and friends. It’s the continuing aspect of caring and sharing
that has provided the momentum for this Internet society to grow and prosper over
the past two years. With this issue of
"Hibiscus International," two full years of data compilation is completed. The question now might well be where to go from here. This is easy to answer. If you’ve
been following the e-mails, you have to be aware of all the information that is
out there. Several members are researching various aspects
of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, and this will be presented in upcoming issues. It has been my pleasure to compile and present this information to you,
and even though it is a time-consuming task, I apparently get something called
enjoyment out of it or I wouldn’t bother to continue with the work. My pleasure can also be measured in the number of friendships I have acquired
along the way. With all the positive energy
that I derive from this society, I suppose I will have to continue. At least, I haven’t been fired yet, so I would have to guess that I’ve
done something right along the way.
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PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
I am very proud to have been elected as your President, and I only hope I can do as good a job as retiring president Richard Johnson and his retiring Board of Directors, have done over the last couple of years. I am looking forward to working with the new committee and to help to continue the good work that has already been accomplished. Welcome to the new members of the Board, and thanks to the Board members who have rejoined in their old positions. I would like to see more of the members join in with comments and stories of how they grow their hibiscus, and what troubles they have in growing in their districts, if any. We have over 200 members and only a handful of the members actually send messages. I have started a subject for the week, and I would like you all to join in with comments about that subject, so that we can all learn from each other. This is the purpose of having a discussion group like this. We are all hungry for knowledge, and if you can all contribute in some way, it will make the International Hibiscus Society a group that everyone will want to belong to because of the lessons on growing our favorite flower that will be available. So please, do not sit in the background and let someone else do all the work. If you all join in, we can make this a happy and great society to belong to. I hope you will all buy the new CD, which the society is releasing. It is excellent and full of valuable information. Proper credit for this accomplishment goes especially to Joseph Dimino, but it is also a credit to all that helped in its production. The hundreds of pictures and information with each picture is a must for every one to enjoy, and the videos on hybridizing and grafting, as well as every facet of growing hibiscus, will be a valuable tool for anyone to have in their library. In closing, I would like to say that societies, like the IHS, are doing a lot to make the world a better place to live in. It lets us see that every country and everyone in the world have the same goals in life. We all love our families and our children, and we all share a common love of everything beautiful, such as our wonderful hibiscus family. Perhaps, we can do a lot to quell the hate and fighting that we see around us when we know that other people are just like us. Happy
Hibiscus Growing,
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Hibiscus
in the Heart of Texas
Hybridizing and growing hibiscus is not strictly restricted to Florida and Australia. Many growers are successful in getting the Queen of the Tropics to bloom in diverse climates and settings. I know of growers in Canada, France, Switzerland, Germany, Sicily, Belgium, Spain and other locations you would not consider a spot for a tropical garden. The warmer areas of the globe such as the Philippines and Thailand are famous for their tropical variety. In many areas of the United States, growers are successful in coaxing the Queen to show her pretty face. After the winter we have experienced in the Northern Hemisphere, I find that some avid growers go through some difficult preparations to grow hibiscus in their gardens. Texas this year received some extra cold weather even for their winters. Just when they thought it was getting to be spring, the cold winds of the north brought some low temperatures and sleet down to Texas and the Gulf area. These avid lovers of hibiscus went into winter preparation mode again to prevent the loss of their gems of many colors. Many have greenhouses and others use other techniques that would dazzle the growers in Southern Florida. But in the end, beauty and love prevail. These tropical beauties survive another attack from the cold and bring forth many beautiful blooms in the heart of Texas. Roz and Pat Merritt found love the first and second time around. With a twist of fate, they found happiness after the loss of their first partners, both to cancer within 10 months of each other. Pat and Jim Burns were married 26 years, and Roz and Joyce were married 32 years before this dreaded illness took both of these spouses. Both couples enjoyed many years of traveling together and friendship. Roz and Pat were married 15 minutes after midnight on January 1, 1986. A boyhood friend of Roz, who is a minister, officiated over the ceremonies held in their den. Following the wedding celebration, friends and family, including a five-day-old granddaughter of Roz, enjoyed a New Year’s celebration. The birth of this new grandbaby happily delayed the newly married couple’s honeymoon in Tahiti, but it was worth the wait. After their marriage, the couple remodeled Roz’s large home and removed all the trees surrounding the pool equipment. The area was "stark and ugly" so Pat contributed two potted garden-variety hibiscus and Roz provided his four. The transformation made the couple search the local nurseries for more hibiscus. The Merritts found the selection to be slim. Two years later in 1988, the newspaper advertised that the local hibiscus chapter was holding their show at the garden center, so the Merritts attended their first show and the rest is history. Imagine their eyes following the diverse beauty of colorful hybrids in one location! "On the spot" they joined the American Hibiscus Society and brought home two cvs, and for Texans, I personally find their restraint fascinating. Both Merritts were still working in those days. Pat as the executive assistant to the CEO of Duke Energy and Roz in the waterworks supply and in real estate holding businesses. They were able to attend few meetings with their schedules, but enjoyed the newsletter of the Lone Star Chapter. They did not exhibit their flowers or were not active in the chapter in these early years. In 1990, when Pat retired after 34 years at Duke Energy, there was more time to devote to the feeding and care of their hibiscus. Suddenly, there were magnificent blooms in their garden. At the June 1990 show, which was non-sanctioned, they entered their first blooms. The Merritts won Best of Show Double with Erma K, and this competition infected them with the "hibiscus bug.". In their collection right now, there are 600 cvs. This is down from a record number of 1500. The couple discovered that they could not adequately care for so many plants and get the best out of their plants. Pat’s favorite all time cv is Red Snapper, but she reports of "being like the leprechaun in ‘Finian’s Rainbow,’ loving the bloom she is with. Roz’s favorite is High Voltage. Over the years, they have registered Copper Moon, Blossom Barbie, Eye Lash, Silver Sable, Pink Feather, Bar B Cutie, Orange Torch, Brickhouse and Cherubino. Their Copper Moon was 1st runner up after Dragon’s Breath in 1999. Pat has served as the AHS national secretary since 1998 to the present day. She is in charge of the slide bank committee and show and judging rules committee. Roz was a director from 1996-2000, including Chairman of the Board. He was elected first vice-president for 2000-2002. He was elected national president for 2002-2004. Roz serves on the seedling evaluation committee, publicity/membership committee, and on the show and judging rules committee. Locally, at the Lone Star Chapter, Pat has held the job of secretary from 1991-93, president from 1994-97, membership chairman from 1998 - present, and secretary of the Space City Chapter from 1997-99. Roz was president of the Lone Star Chapter from 1998-2001, plant sales chairman for Lone Star and Space City chapters since 1995, and presently serves as Director of Space City Chapter and has held this position at various times. Both Merritts are senior judges and show directors. The Merritts also grow 80 hybrid tea and miniature roses. Pat "retired" from her hobby of designing and making wedding dresses when their last single friend got married. They both play duplicate bridge twice a week and are pretty good at this sport. Pat in her spare time, shepherds a retiree group of 125 individuals who worked for Duke Energy for many years. This group gets together for lunch three times a year. Pat and Roz consider themselves hobbyists and exhibit in the open collector classification. Pat says they have been labeled as "designated buyers" by one Florida grower.< Pat is a native Texan and a Houstonian for the past 60 years. She shares Roz’s six grandchildren. Roz was born in Chicago and moved to Houston in 1939. He graduated from the University of North Carolina and has three children. So in the heart of the Lone Star State, hibiscus are alive and well. Growing hibiscus in this Gulf area is a labor of love and dedication. The Merritts look forward to spring so they can enjoy another season with their beloved Queen of the Tropics. On a summer’s eve a huge copper colored moon hung in the sky. The mysterious flower genie walked in the moonlit enchanted garden followed by fireflies. The moonlight shone on an exquisite gem of many colors. This lovely gem reflected the colors of the moon and shone with a coppery sheen. The mysterious flower genie plucked the gem and carried it in her hand through her walk in the garden. She smiled when she happened to look down at one of the treasures from her enchanted garden in the peninsula of flowers. From the chronicles
of the mysterious flower genie from the peninsula of flowers- Copper Moon.
EDITORIAL
NOTE: Articles in all issues of
Hibiscus International are the results of research and interviews done by the
authors, and the editor can correct them only if notified in advance of the publication
of a given newsletter. Therefore, if you
print out an article as presented, there is a likelihood that a last minute error
is noted and a change is then made to the master copy. Only by requesting the final master from the
editor will you have an accurate copy suitable for printing. For that reason, you need to request a printed copy from the editor or mark any corrections noted afterwards. I have emphasized this from the very beginning.
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Marvellous Mallows (This series of articles is compiled by Colleen Keena from Queensland, Australia, Kristin Yanker-Hansen from California, USA, and Marcos Capelini from São Paulo, Brazil. We hope you can share your experiences of growing the featured plants so that we can all learn more about growing mallows in varied locations.) Thespesia populnea (Note: The links to web sites
in this article, including those from commercial suppliers, have been provided
for your convenience only. The authors are not liable or responsible for the contents
of the sites listed. All web sites listed in this article were accessible as of
12-July-2002.) Thespesia is a genus of Malvaceae with basically tropical and subtropical worldwide distribution. The genus is comprised of trees, which are sometimes cultivated either for their usefulness to traditional cultures or for ornamental purposes. Thespesia is closely related to cotton (genus Gossypium) with which it shares, among other characteristics, the presence of gossypol glands in many plant parts. Gossypol is a substance that helps protect the plant against predators and which in large quantities, such as found in cotton seed, may be toxic to mammals, including humans. The most widespread Thespesia species is probably T. populnea, which played an important role in Polynesian culture and is found throughout the Pacific basin, and which has also become naturalized in the shores of the New World. A plant, found in the Society Islands, was painted by Sydney Parkinson in 1769.LINK This article will mostly deal with T. populnea, but other species should also be mentioned: Thespesia garckeana (syn. Azanza
garckeana) is an African tree whose fruits are used as food by native populations
but is also noted for its timber. Further information is available at: LINK Thespesia populneoides. Along with T. populnea, this species is listed on an Australian site about plants used for timber under the common name for both plants of 'Pacific Rosewood'. It is often confused with T. populnea, from which it differs, among other characteristics, by having dehiscent fruits (the pods open when mature to release the seeds). T. populneoides is described as an attractive tree to 15 m (49 feet) with light-green, heart-shaped leaves. It has hibiscus-like flowers, which are yellow, fading to pink, and small black fruit. LINK LINK Thespesia thespesioides has a high concentration
of gossypol. It can be seen at: LINK Thespesia thespesioides has a high concentration
of gossypol. It can be seen at: LINK DISTRIBUTION Probably, it originated in India, but it is a common plant of coastal strands across Old World tropics. It has naturalized in Florida and the West Indies. It is also cultivated occasionally in Central and South America and has probably naturalized there. It has taken over beaches used by nesting sea turtles on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. In Florida, it is documented by herbarium specimens from southernmost counties and from Brevard County on the Central East Coast. In Hawai'i, it has been documented on all the main islands except Kaho'olawe at elevations ranging from sea level to 270 m (900 ft). It grows in Tahiti and also in Australia. Life History: Thespesia populnea is cold-sensitive but can stand mild frosts. It resists salt spray and wind action and grows "luxuriantly on shores of bays and inlets"; it is able to thrive in low silty land and coral and sand berms. It shifts into the more efficient C4-type of photosynthesis under saline conditions. It flowers and fruits nearly year-round. The fruits and seeds are buoyant, adapted to long-distance dispersal by tides and ocean currents. Role in the habitat: Its main feature is that it is a mangrove associate. Like other mangrove associates, these plants provide shelter and food to many creatures of the mangroves. DESCRIPTION This evergreen tree is bushy when young but thins out with age. It grows to 13 m (40 ft) or more with a spread of 3-6 m (10-20 ft). It grows rapidly under favorable conditions.
Bark: Brown, corrugated. Scaly twigs.
Flowers: The cup-shaped hibiscus-like pale yellow flowers are
5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 inches), with a dark blotch at the base of the petals. They
last for one to two days, turning maroon and then dropping. They are produced
intermittently throughout the year in warm climates.
Fruits and seeds: Capsule is a flattened indehiscent leathery sphere. The grayish brown seeds, 0.7 to 1.2 cm long (1/4 to 1/2 inch). Both the capsules and the hard seeds are buoyant and can be dispersed to very long distances by seawater. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Photos
by Marcos Capelini | |||
COMMON NAMES
These vary according to the country and include 'Portia Tree', 'Indian Tulip Tree', 'Pacific Rosewood', 'Bebaru'/'Baru Baru' (Malay), 'Milo' (Hawaii), 'Miro' (Pitcairn Island), 'Seaside Mahoe' (Florida).
CONFUSING SPECIES
Thespesia
populnea may be confused
with Hibiscus tiliaceus, which was the topic of an earlier 'Marvellous
Mallows'. Both belong to the family Malvaceae but are relatively distantly related,
Thespesia being much closer to cotton (genus Gossypium). The leaves of H. tiliaceus are wider,
with dense star-shaped hairs on lower surfaces. T. populnea has more
elongated heart-shaped leaves and five dark dots at the centre of its flowers.
As
well, in T. populnea, the sepals form a smooth-edged cup (vs. pointed
tips), the leaf blades are slightly fleshy, hairless, narrower, above green and
smooth-edged (vs. papery, hairy below, broader, above dark green and toothed leaf
blades) and the stigmas are yellow (vs. deep crimson purple).
Adding
to the confusion, in Florida both T. populnea and H. tiliaceus
are exotics, which share the common name of 'Seaside Mahoe'. Even worse, a third species very closely allied
to H. tiliaceus, H. pernambucensis (which is reported to be
native in Florida), also goes by the same common name. H. pernambucensis
can be distinguished from the other two by its solid-yellow flowers, without the
dark center.
And there is still a rainforest tree from Cuba, H. elatus,
cultivated in the tropics for its valuable timber, which is also closely related
to H. tiliaceus and is known as 'Blue Mahoe', often shortened to simply
'Mahoe'. It is therefore wise to be careful when obtaining seeds or plants of
any of these species not to get the wrong plant, especially when they are sold
under the name 'Mahoe' or 'Seaside Mahoe'.
WEED
POTENTIONAL
In spite of the beautiful blooms and
high value timber, care needs to be taken when considering planting Thespesia
species. T. garckeana can sucker very freely. T. populnea is
already listed as an invasive plant in Florida, where it is included in the Category
1 list as a species that is invading and disrupting native plant communities in
Florida: LINK
Its distribution is shown at: LINK
One seed supplier notes that seed is not to be sent to Florida: LINK
The following reference notes that it is a potentially invasive plant and that plants are not to leave the Greenhouse: LINK
PROPAGATION
Propagation
by Seeds:This
species is easily propagated from seed. The seed pods are indehiscent, that is,
the seed pods do not open when mature. The capsules can be opened by hand and
the seeds removed. The seeds should be
scarified (the seed coat penetrated). This can be done using an emery board, sandpaper,
or nail clippers. Care must be taken to avoid damaging the inner part of the seed. The seeds do not require soaking, but soaking them overnight in warm water
may hasten germination. The seeds should
be planted in sterile potting mix at a depth of about twice the diameter of the
seed. Germination takes 14 to 28 days.
Propagation by Cuttings:Cuttings are also a good way to propagate T. populnea. Small cuttings, about 30 cm (1 ft) long will root easily although larger cuttings can also be used. Keep the top three or four leaves, apply some rooting hormone, if available, plant in a small container (transparent plastic is great as one can see the roots as they develop). The top can be covered with a transparent plastic bag to keep moisture in and prevent the leaves from dessicating. The cutting should be protected from direct sun until it is well established. Rooting may take place within a month if conditions are favourable.
CULTIVATION
In the garden situation in a sub-tropical or tropical area, this plant grows quite quickly into a tree. Its blooms are attractive both when they are pale yellow and also when they age to a deep pink. The leaves help add to the appeal of this tree, both because they are shiny and because their large size can provide a visual contrast. Even the pods are a feature.
The plant also performs well in a pot. Again, the foliage makes for a feature plant. If the plant is re-potted as needed, it can make a feature plant in a shade-house. This species grows well by the sea but its invasive potential needs to be considered. It grows in USDA Zone 11-12 but again its weed potential in these zones would need to be evaluated.
USES
T. populnea has a wide range of uses. These vary from use as a food plant or for medicine to use of the timber for craft. The plant also produces rope and dye and is used as a shade tree and as a windbreak.
References are given for the various uses but this article seeks only to provide information and cannot be seen to endorse any use for food or medicine.
Given the volume of information available, the following is in summary form with links for follow up on specific uses:Bioassay test results showed that extracts of fruits and flowers of T. populnea distinctly inhibited the growth of two bacteria: LINK
The leaf and flower buds are said to be edible raw or cooked. The seeds are applied to scabies and other skin diseases, and are rubbed on swollen joints.
The yellowish juice extracted from young fruits is used to treat insect bites, gonorrhoea, ringworm, and migraine headache, and is also used for fistula, psoriasis, scabies, sprains, and wart removal: LINK
Fibres, mats, paper and tapa cloth are products of Thespesia populnea: LINK
This species has edible fruit and flowers and is resistant to termites. Rope has been made from the tough fibrous bark, cork from the inner bark, and the leaves have been used for a variety of medicinal uses. It is a host to a red insect, which stains cotton and so has been eradicated in many areas where cotton is an important crop: LINK
The fruits, flowers and young leaves are edible. The timber is hard, termite-resistant, has an attractive grain and dark-red colour, and is naturally oily so it can be highly polished. But the timber is often twisted and rarely found in large pieces so it makes only small items. As the timber does not impart a flavour, it is often used to carve wooden food bowls and food utensils in Hawaii. The tough fibrous bark is made into rope (Hawaii and elsewhere) but is not as good for this purpose as Hibiscus tiliaceus is. The bark is also used to caulk boats (Malay). Cork is made from the inner bark. A yellow dye is obtained from the flower and fruits, and a red one from the bark and heartwood. Other products extracted from the plant includes tannin, oil and gums (a dark red resin exudes from the bark)...It casts welcome shade and in Hawaii they were planted near homes for this purpose. In India, they were planted to provide shade in coffee and tea plantations.
Traditional medicinal uses: Ground up bark is used to treat skin diseases (India), dysentery and haemorrhoids (Mauritius). Leaves are applied to inflamed and swollen joints (South India). When cut, the young fruit secretes a yellow sticky sap used to treat ringworm and other skin diseases (South India). Roots are used as a tonic. There is some modern investigation of the plant's effects on high blood pressure: LINK
The close-grained and very stable wood reputedly imparts no flavor to foods and was valued for food containers by Hawaiians; the trunk form is seldom suited to lumber, and is much better for craft items. Important to Hawaiian culture; traditionally, wood was used for bowls; plant parts were used medicinally; leaves are edible: LINK
The roots are used as a tonic...Kirtikar and Basu report that in Mauritius the bark is described as depurative, and as a cure for dysentery and haemorrhoids. Nadkarni says that a decoction of the bark is used for washing skin diseases. Ground bark mixed with coconut oil is also applied to skin diseases... leaves are applied to inflamed and swollen joints. The fruit abounds in a viscid, yellow juice which the natives in South India use as an external application in psoriasis. Many other uses are listed at: LINK
This slow-growing, taste-free and insect-resistant wood has been used historically by native Hawaiians in the making of food containers and in boat building. It has light brown sapwood, clearly defined from the reddish/chocolate brown heartwood. The stable wood is moderately heavy (specific gravity .6), is easy to work and takes a very high polish: LINK
It was grown as a shade tree. Prized as a bowl turning material because of its oily dense nature and good workability. It is an understated and very elegant wood; its beauty lies in the subtle ranges and strong contrasts of its colors, rather than the figure of the grain. The colors range from deep ebony to purples and pinks, with the sapwood, which finishes to a bone white, creating a striking contrast when incorporated into pieces. The sapwood is as hard as the heartwood when carefully trimmed. Due to its very oily nature it is often finished to a high polish with just oil or lacquer. The tree grows in short twists and turns with numerous limbs; therefore lumber is is only found in short lengths. Aside from bowls and calabashes Milo is used for carvings and small boxes: LINK
The bark was used for cordage fiber. The tree also yields tannin, dye, oil, medicine and gum, from various parts of the plant. The wood was skillfully crafted into bowls and into plates, too. The wood is flavorless, because it is lacking in any unpleasant-tasting sap that could contaminate stored food. The wood has an attractive grain that takes to a high polish and, in addition to food utensils and containers, was fashioned into paddles and other carved objects, as well as for an occasional canoe: LINK
Wood used for food containers, slit drums and cabinetry:LINK
There are 19 papers/mentions in the Agricola database (1970-1996) for use as a windbreak crop: LINK
SUMMARY
Thespesia are trees in the hibiscus-family valued not only for their ornamental qualities but also for their wide range of uses. However as T. populnea is already invasive in Florida, careful consideration needs to be given as to whether it is appropriate for cultivation in any given situation.
REFERENCES
Printed:
1. Fryxell, P.A. 1966, Australian Plants: Thespesia
in Australia Sept.1966 vol.3
pp 366-367
2. Morton, J.F. 1966, Australian Plants:
SEASIDE MAHOE (Thespesia populnea
Soland.) Sept.1966 vol.3 pp 367-369
On the Web:
1. Hawaiian Native
Plant Propagation Database: LINK
2. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Conservatory: LINK
3. Aquatic, Wetland and Invasive Plant Particulars and
Photographs: LINK
4. Guide to the Mangroves of Singapore:
LINK
5. Mangrove and
wetland wildlife at Sungei Buloh Nature
Park (Singapore):
LINK
6. Field
Guide to the Mangroves of Queensland LINK
7. "Miro" (on Pitcairn Island): LINK
8. Bevans,N. Alford,M. Guanches,F. Aregullin,M. Rodriguez,E.
2001 "Preliminary Phytochemical
Study of Two Caribbean Malvaceae Used
in the Treatment of Conjunctivitis" Journal of Undergraduate
Study and Independent Research Issue 2, 20-24 (Winter
2001): LINK
SEEDS
B
& T WORLD SEEDS, France:LINK
LINK
(GO
TO 487 MALVACEAE)
Rainforest
Seed Co., Costa Rica:LINK
Future Forests Nursery, Hawaii: LINK
Austrahort P/L, Australia: LINK
The Banana Tree, USA (not shipped to Florida): LINK
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