Perennial shrub, climbing with pubescent to glabrescent tendrils. Leaves with l-2 cm long, pubescent petiole bearing 2 sessile glands at top; lamina broadly ovate, truncate, minutely pubescent, 8-9 cm long, 7-8 cm broad, 3-lobed; lobes elliptic lanceolate, serrate, acute; stipules subulate, 4-6 mm long. Flowers solitary axillary on 3-3.5 cm long, articulated, pubescent peduncle, showy, pinkish pale, 4-5 cm across; pedicel c. 4 mm long; bracts with 5-6 glands, oblong obovate, c. 1.5 cm long, c. 1 cm broad, cuneate, undulate towards denticulate acuminate apex; hypanthium cupular. Sepals 5, oblong. Petals 5, oblong lanceolate, 2-2.5 cm long, 8-10 mm broad, acute, cuspidate, pale-pink. Corona multiseriate, purplish blue. Stamens 5, filaments c. 8 mm long; anthers linear-oblong, c. 8 mm long. Ovary subglobose, c. 5 mm long, pubescent; gynophore 1.2-1.5 cm long; styles c. 8 mm long. Fruit oblong-ovoid, c. 5 cm long, yellow.
Fl.Per.: July August.
Type: Herb.Linn.1070/25 (LINN).
Distribution: A native of the South East United States.
Cultivated throughout the world for its beautiful flowers.
