Hibiscus trionum

Not listed in NEMBA legislation, however it is a troublesome weed smothering other natural vegetation.

This stiffly hairy annual was introduced from the Old World tropics and now widespread in southern Africa.

The leaves are lobed or toothed. The showy flowers are cream to pale-yellow with black centre eye – hence its common name. The calyx (i.e. the whorl that encloses the petals) has purple veins and inflates when the fruit ripens before drying out & releasing the seeds.