Identifying the Leaves of Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)

Rosa syriacus, also known as Rose of Sharon, is a well-known flowering shrub that is loved for its big, showy blooms that show up in late summer. But if you look closely at this plant’s leaves at any time of the year, you can tell what it is. This article will talk about the main things that make rose of Sharon leaves easy to spot.

Overview of Rose of Sharon

Before diving into leaf identification, let’s review some quick facts about rose of sharon:

• Part of the mallow (Malvaceae) family
• Native to China and Taiwan
• Grow 8-12 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide
• Deciduous shrub or small tree
• Flowers are large (2-4 inches), with 5 crepe-like petals in shades of red, purple, pink, white, or multicolored
• Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees
• Tolerates heat, drought, salt, and wet soil
• Deer resistant

That’s enough about the plant. Let’s look at how to tell what it is just by looking at its leaves.

Rose of Sharon Leaf Characteristics

Here are the key features to look for when identifying rose of sharon leaves:

Simple, Alternate Leaves

• The leaves are simple, meaning each leaf is a single undivided blade. They do not have leaflets like compound leaves.
• The leaves alternate along the stems rather than growing opposite each other.

Coarsely Toothed Margins

• The leaf margins (outer edges) are coarsely toothed, with blunt, rounded teeth. The teeth are unevenly spaced.

Three-Lobed Shape

• While some leaves may appear more oval, most rose of sharon leaves are distinctly 3-lobed. There is one large, central lobe and two small side lobes at the leaf base.

Medium Green Color

• The leaves are a medium green color on the top and a slightly lighter green underneath. Some varieties may be dark green and glossy.

2-4 Inches Long

• Leaf size ranges from 2-4 inches long. Leaves are not hugely oversized.

Fall Color

• In fall, the leaves turn a golden yellow color before dropping. This can help confirm identity late in the season.

Other Identification Tips

Here are a few other characteristics that can aid in identifying rose of sharon leaves:

• Leaves emerge late spring after flowering.
• New leaves may be slightly red-tinged before turning green.
• Flower buds form on the current season’s growth alongside leaves.
• Crushed leaves have a faint odor.
• Leaf stems (petioles) are generally 1-3 inches long.
• Stipules are thin, threadlike structures that clasp the base of leaf stems early on before falling off.

Lookalike Leaves

There aren’t too many plants commonly confused with rose of sharon, but here are two to keep in mind:

• Hibiscus – Rose mallow hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) has leaves that look nearly identical to rose of sharon. But it has much larger, white or pink “dinner plate” flowers.

• Cottonwood: The leaves of the eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) can look a lot alike, but they have teeth that are rounder and tips that are sharper. The leaves of the cottonwood tree are also alternate, but it is a lot bigger.

Examples of Rose of Sharon Leaves

Here are some examples of rose of Sharon leaves to help you picture the important parts of identifying them:

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Simple, alternate, 3-lobed leaves with coarse teeth.

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Medium green color and 2-4 inch size.

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Fall leaf color transition.

How to Use Leaves for Plant ID

Identifying plants by leaf features may take some practice, but rose of sharon has very distinct leaves once you know what to look for. Here are some tips for honing your leaf identification skills:

• Study known leaf examples up close to note key characteristics.

• Photograph unknown leaves from multiple angles and compare pictures to reference images.

• Consider the plant’s size and growth habit as secondary clues.

• Remember that leaf size, shape, color, and texture can vary on the same plant. Look for the consistent features.

• Pay attention to leaf arrangements and stem attachments which can differentiate plant families.

With practice, you’ll be able to spot a rose of sharon from its leaves alone. Happy identifying!

A good plant similar to Rose of Sharon, particularly for those seeking a native alternative, is the Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos), also known as Rose Mallow.