Hibiscus diversifolius. Malvaceae. This is another shrub of tropical origin, in this case tropical Africa and Asia but widely introduced in the American subtropics and tropics. Reaches a height of 36" and has prominent conical prickles. The five-lobed palmate leaves are 6" across. Flowers appear solitary or as a terminal raceme. They are funnelform, medium yellow with 2" petals blotched at their centers with maroon. Hibiscus diversifolius is resistant to deer owing to tiny thorns on the undersides of the leaves and along the stems. Kristen Yanker-Hansen, Danville