Hibiscus waimeae subsp. hannerae is a species of gray-barked trees that grow to heights of 6 to 10 meters, characterized by branches, petioles, and pedicels that are densely covered in stellate pubescence. The leaves are simple and alternate, with orbicular to broadly ovate-elliptic blades ranging from 5 to 25 cm in length and 3 to 18 cm in width, featuring an obtuse to acute apex and an obtuse to truncate base. The lower surfaces of the leaves are grayish and velvety tomentose, while the upper surfaces are less densely pubescent or glabrous. Margins are inconspicuous to moderately crenate or crenate-serrate. The flowers are intensely fragrant and solitary, typically located near the ends of branches. The calyx is tubular, 2 to 2.5 cm long, with five lobes that may split longitudinally as the fruit develops. The corolla, consisting of 5 petals, opens white in the morning and fades to pinkish in the afternoon, is broadly obovate, and measures 4 to 6 cm long. The exserted and reddish to crimson apically, the staminal column supports the numerous monadelphous stamens. The superior ovary leads to a fruit that is a loculicidally dehiscent capsule, cartilaginous and obovoid, measuring 1.8 to 2.5 cm in length, with seeds that are angular-reniform and brownish tomentose. It is found in diverse mesic forests at elevations ranging from 250 – 1200 meters.
Bean-shaped (Reniform): Resembling the shape of a kidney or bean.
Square or Oblong: Angular shape with all sides more or less equal or longer than wide.
Triangular: Three-sided shape, broadest below the middle.
Elliptic: Rounded at both ends. shaped like an ellipse or oval.
Ovate or Obovate: egg-shaped, broader at one end.
Linear: Extremely long and narrow, with sides usually parallel.
Round: Appears circular, with length and width roughly the same.
Cardioid (Heart-Shaped): One edge has a prominent double curve into two lobes.
Cylindrical: A cylinder with parallel sides and a circular cross-section.
Discoid: Resembling a disc or plate with two relatively flat surfaces.
Fusiform: Spindle-shaped, tapering at both ends.
Globose: Spherical.
Lenticular: Resembling a lens with two convex surfaces.
Ovoid: Egg-shaped.
Plano-convex: Having a flat ventral (planar) surface and a curved dorsal (convex) surface.
Polygonal: Having more than three flat faces meeting at angles.
Sectoroid: Resembling a segment of an orange with two relatively flat faces and one curved face.
Subglobose/ellipsoid: Inflated shape but less than spherical.
Trigonous: Having three faces that meet at a distinct angle; triangular in cross-section.
Endangered species (E) are species that are so rare they’re in danger of becoming extinct.
Threatened species (T) are species that are likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of their range.
Species of Concern (SOC) are species about which there are some concerns regarding status and threats, but insufficient information is available to list the species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Plant Extinction Prevention (PEP) is a state status for rare plants that focuses its efforts on species that have fewer than 50 remaining wild individuals.
Orthodox seeds (desiccation-tolerant): can be dried to an internal seed moisture of less than 12% water and stored at freezing temperatures.
Intermediate seeds (temperature-sensitive) tend to age faster than orthodox seeds and may have only a 5-year lifespan when stored at -20°C. They are recommended for storage at 5°C.
Recalcitrant seeds (desiccation-sensitive): cannot be stored in a conventional freezer as they cannot survive after drying and/or freezing at -20°C. They are recommended for cryopreservation storage.