Dongola Hibiscus

dongolensis: of Dongola on the Nile in northern Sudan, where the type specimen was collected.

Robust shrub-like herb, up to 2 m tall. Stems nearly hairless. Leaves ovate to ovate lanceolate, up to 10 × 7 cm, unlobed or rarely obscurely 3-5-lobed, nearly hairless except occasional hairs on the veins beneath; margin coarsely toothed. Petiole up to 6 cm long, usually hairless except for a longitudinal line of short soft hairs. Flowers solitary, axillary, c. 8 cm in diameter, yellow with a small dark centre, often drooping and not opening widely. Epicalyx bracts usually 5, very sxhort, up to 20 × 2 mm, lorate, nearly hairless, about as long as the calyx lobes. Calyx up to 20 mm long, nearly hairless; lobes lorate to caudate with a prominent central vein, joined at the base for up to c. 7 mm. Fruit a subglobose capsule, 15-20 mm in diameter, bristly stellate hairy, carpels awned up to 6 mm. 

Frequent

Widespread in tropical Africa and South Africa.