Hibiscus insularis

Scientific name: Hibiscus insularis

Author: Endl.

Common name: Phillip Island Hibiscus

Family: Malvaceae

Location

The last remaining wild plants of this species were restricted to two patches on Phillip Island, south of Norfolk Island, by the late 1980s.   

This species, along with the rest of the island's vegetation, was under threat due to grazing by pigs, goats and rabbits. The removal of these feral animals has led to the regeneration of the population with seedlings surviving next to the original plants.

In a frost-free garden, for about 10 months of the year it will produce pale yellow flowers with a greenish tinge, which turn mauve on fading. It has tiny, neat leaves and a densely branching form, making it a perfect garden plant. It is evergreen, disease-free and tolerates wind and full sunshine or partial shade. These characteristics make it a good hedging plant.