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Integrated Crop Management
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Venice mallow

Venice mallow             Hibiscus trionum L.

Family: Malvaceae (mallow family)
Life cycle: Annual
Native status: Introduced as an ornamental
Habitat: Crop fields

General description: Spreading to erect plant reaching heights of 1.5 ft. First two leaves are round with toothed margin; later leaves are deeply three-lobed with each lobe having rounded teeth. Flower petals are up to 1.5 in long; white to pale yellow with purple base. Seed capsule surrounded by a membranous bladder.

Key ID traits: Deeply lobed leaves; pale yellow to off-white flower petals with purple center.

Similar species: Seedlings of velvetleaf and Venice mallow are similar, but cotyledons of Venice mallow are glossier and more round than the heart-shaped cotyledons of velvetleaf.

Miscellaneous: Often referred to as Venus mallow. Introduced from Europe for use in flower gardens. Flower petals are short-lived, giving the plant an alternate name of ‘flower of an hour’.

Venice mallow leaves
Venice mallow leaves have 3 to 5 deep lobes that have smaller lobes. First pair of leaves usually are circular in shape.
Venice mallow flower
Flowers have five cream colored petals with dark purple base. Petals are short-lived; another name for the plant is flower of an hour.  

 

Translucent sepals with green veins
Translucent sepals with green veins form a bladder-like structure around the seed capsule.  
Authored by:
Bob Hartzler
Bob Hartzler
  • Retired Weed Scientist and Professor of Agronomy
Dr. Bob Hartzler is a former professor of agronomy and a former extension weed specialist with a Ph.D. in Crop Physiology from Iowa State University. He conducted research on weed biology and how it impacts the efficacy of weed management programs in corn and soybean. Dr. Hartzler also taught undergraduate classes in weed science and weed identification.
Meaghan Anderson
Meaghan Anderson
  • Field Agronomist in Central Iowa
Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist in central Iowa and an extension specialist at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Areas of expertise include weed management, weed biology, cover crops, corn and soybean management, and integrated pest management.
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