Comfortroot, Hibiscus aculeatus

Comfortroot

Pictured above: Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus) by Eleanor Dietrich. Click on terms for botanical definitions. View post as a PDF.

Comfortroot (Hibiscus aculeatus), also known as Pineland hibiscus, is a large perennial wildflower that occurs naturally in wet to mesic pinelands, and along the edges of savannas, bogs and roadside ditches. It typically blooms late spring through fall and attracts many pollinators, especially bees.

Photo by Emily Bell

Comfortroot’s showy blooms are 3–4 inches wide, with five cream-colored petals that have scalloped edges and appear pleated. The bloom’s center is a deep purplish-red. The plant has a semi-woody base from which multiple stems emerge. Leaves are palmate and scabrous with toothed margins. They are alternately arranged. Seeds are borne in large scabrous capsules. Stems are also scabrous.

The common name Comfortroot may allude to the belief that the plant’s mucilaginous roots have soothing properties.

Family: Malvaceae (Mallow family)
Native range: Panhandle to Alachua and Columbia counties; Lake, Clay, Duval and Nassau counties
To see where natural populations of Comfortroot have been vouchered, visit www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu.
Lifespan: Perennial
Soil: Moist to moderately dry acidic soils
Exposure: Full sun to minimal shade
Growth habit: 2–3’+ tall and wide
Propagation: Seed, cuttings
Florida regions of landscape suitability: North, Central
Garden tips: Comfortroot is an attractive addition to a moist landscape. It appears shrubby but will die back in the winter and all but disappear. Annual pruning to the ground may be necessary. It can tolerate seasonal flooding and is also drought tolerant; however, it will not survive if soils are not moist or wet for part of the year. It will self-seed, but not prolifically.

Comfortroot is available from nurseries that specialize in Florida native plants. Visit www.PlantRealFlorida.org to find a nursery in your area.

Learn more about Comfortroot from the Florida Native Plant Society.

For more information on other Hibiscus species, see these resources:

Crimsoneyed rosemallow

In early to mid-summer, North Florida wetlands and roadside ditches are adorned with the big brilliant white flowers of Crimsoneyed rosemallow (Hibiscus moscheutos). This wildflower blooms profusely and has an abundance of wildlife value.
Read more… Crimsoneyed rosemallow
Scarlet hibiscus bloom

Scarlet hibiscus

Scarlet hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus) has large, crimson blooms that attract hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators. They remain open for only one day, but the plant produces many flowers throughout the summer.
Read more… Scarlet hibiscus