Scientific name: Hibiscus tiliaceu

POWO Status:Tree or Shrub

IUCN Red List threat level: Least Concern

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 56.67″ N, 64° 49′ 46.44″ W

GPS location:

Medicinal Uses

Hibiscus tiliaceus, or Beach Hibiscus, is a versatile tropical plant used in traditional medicine for fevers, coughs, skin issues (sores, wounds), stomach ailments (diarrhea, dysentery, pain), and chest congestion, with its leaves, flowers, bark, and sap offering antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, acting as demulcents, laxatives, and treatments for infections and inflammation, notes National Institutes of Health (.gov) and Useful Tropical Plants. 

Uses by Plant Part

• Leaves: Applied for fevers, coughs, phlegm, sore throats, and skin diseases; sap used as a laxative.
• Flowers: Used for bronchitis, ear infections, abscesses, and to treat fevers and coughs.
• Bark: Mucilage from the bark treats dysentery and chest congestion; inner bark sap helps with labor pains and stomach aches.
• Sap: A slimy sap from bark and buds serves as a mild laxative or lubricant during childbirth.
• Roots: Used as a general tonic. 

Reported Properties & Activities

• Antioxidant: Helps combat free radicals.
• Anti-inflammatory: Reduces swelling and inflammation.
• Antimicrobial: Fights bacteria and microbes.
• Demulcent: Soothes irritated mucous membranes (digestive/respiratory tracts). 

Traditional Applications

• Respiratory: Soothes dry throats, coughs, and chest congestion.
• Digestive: Treats diarrhea, dysentery, and stomach pain.
• Infections: Used for ear infections, abscesses, and skin conditions.
• Childbirth: Sap aids in labor and postpartum recovery. 

Modern Research
Studies suggest potential antidepressant-like effects and confirm its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities, with leaves showing promise as anticancer agents.

Observations:

Phenological Markers:

Common Name: Variegated Mahoe, Beach Hibiscus
Family: Malvaceae (Mallow Family)

Phenological Markers

Phenophase	Indicator
Leaf Emergence	Young leaves are soft, dark green, and oval-shaped, appearing in spring and continuing through summer.
Mature Green Leaves	Large, heart-shaped leaves, often with a rough texture, present year-round.
Leaf Senescence	Older leaves may yellow and drop during periods of drought or environmental stress.
Inflorescence Emergence	Bright yellow or orange flowers emerge from leaf axils, visible mainly in the late spring to early summer.
Flowering	Flowers bloom for a short time, often in **April to July**, with each flower lasting a single day.
Fruit Development	After flowering, capsule fruits develop and remain green for several months.
Fruit Ripening	Fruits turn brown and mature during **August to October**, ready for seed dispersal.
Fruit Drop	Mature fruits may drop to the ground or be eaten by wildlife, aiding in natural seed distribution.
Trunk Growth	Trunk thickens slowly; bark is fibrous and exfoliates in strips, giving it a characteristic appearance.
Crown Presence	Leaves are always present in a large, rounded crown, though they may shed due to environmental factors.

Observation Tips

– Look for the bright yellow or orange flowers that bloom for only one day each.
– Identify the heart-shaped leaves that may shed in response to water stress.
– Monitor the fruit development, as capsule fruits may remain on the tree for months before ripening.

Location Notes

Commonly found along coastal areas, particularly in sandy soils near beaches and estuaries.