Hibiscus trionum

Hibiscus trionum L. (SE-Eur., Afr., As., Austr.) – A rather rare and ephemeral alien, known at least since 1892. Formerly usually introduced with wool-waste in the Vesdre valley. At present almost exclusively associated with grain importation. Hibiscus trionum is now usually seen near grain mills (unloading quays, under conveyors), on dumps, demolition sites or by road verges.

According to Bird (1997) Hibiscus trionum is also cultivated as an ornamental in Europe but Belgian records have never been associated with garden waste so far.

Craven & al. (2011) recently re-evaluated the taxonomy of Hibiscus trionum is Australasia which led to the description of three new (endemic) species.

Herbarium specimen

Selected literature:

Bird S.A. (1997) Hibiscus. In: Cullen J. & al. (eds.), The European Garden Flora, vol. 5. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: 224-227.

Craven L.A., de Lange P.J., Lally T.R., Murray B.G. & Johnson S.B. (2011) Taxonomic re-evaluation of Hibiscus trionum (Malvaceae) in Australasia. New Zeal. Journ. Bot. 49(1): 27-40.

Iamonico D. & Peruzzi L. (2014) Typification of Linnaean names in Malvaceae for the Italian flora. Taxon 63(1): 161-166.

Sotiaux A., Roegiers O. & De Zuttere P. (1981) Un mode curieux d’introduction de phanérogames adventices par les fumures. Dumortiera 19-20: 26-28.

Verloove F. & Vandenberghe C. (1994) Nieuwe en interessante graan- en veevoederadventieven voor de Belgische en Noordfranse flora, hoofdzakelijk in 1993. Dumortiera 58-59: 44-59.