Norfolk Island hibiscus Malvaceae Lagunaria
patersonii (Andrews) G. Don
symbol: LAPA
Leaf: Alternate, simple, evergreen, ovate, shiny olive-green above, pale pubescent below, entire margins.
Flower: Very showy, to 3 inches across, with 5 large dark pink petals that fade to nearly white; appearing summer to fall.
Fruit: A fuzzy brown capsule that splits open along 4 seams to reveal bright red seeds, to 1 1/2 inch long; fine hairs surrounding the seeds can be an itchy irritant, hence the common name cow-itch tree.
Twig: Green and somewhat ridged, pale pubescent.
Bark: Initially smooth and gray-brown, developing warty ridges.
Form: A small tree to 50 feet tall.