Hibiscus arnottianus

Hawaiian Native White Hibiscus (Hilo Selection)

Hibiscus arnottianus is a shrub or small tree generally 15 to 20 feet in height though a few individuals will grow to 30 feet tall. These specimens can be up to 20 feet in diameter. Individual plants vary in appearance from open and airy to compact. The leaves are oval with a smooth upper surface and smooth or slightly toothed edges. The leaves are 4 to 6 inches long and often have red veins and stems.

The single white flowers are pinwheel shaped, up to 4 inches across, and borne at the ends of the branches. The staminal column is pink to red (except in subspecies immaculatus which has a white column). The flowers may be slightly pink or may age to pale pink, and are slightly fragrant. In cultivation, Hibiscus arnottianus blooms almost continuously. This selection was collected in Hilo, and has fewer issues with leaf spotting.

Three subspecies are recognized. Subspecies arnottianus from O'ahu has smooth leaves 1 1/2 to 4 inches long. Subspecies immaculatus is native to Moloka'i and has a white staminal column and leaves with rounded teeth. Subspecies punaluuensis is also native to O'ahu. It is robust with leaves 4 to 10 inches long. (Criley 1998; Criley 1999; Koob 1998; Rauch 1997; Wagner 1990)