Hibiscus trionum (Flower of an Hour)

Native from parts of Europe and the Mediterranean region toward the western Himalaya, this annual or biennial herb has been introduced to many regions, including Japan and much of North America. Branching stems carry leaves that vary from shallowly lobed to deeply divided. Solitary flowers open for only a few hours, with cream to pale yellow petals marked by dark purple-brown bases. Microscopic ridges on the dark petal bases scatter light to produce a blue halo that bees can detect. After flowering, the papery calyx expands into an inflated enclosure around the dark, many-seeded capsule. Photographed in Peru.