Ask the Plant Expert: This Can’t Be Marijuana, Can It?

Ask The Expert:

I recieved a plant that looks like marijuana at first glance but I know it’s not because it was a gift from the city. It’s stems are thick and hard like bamboo and it produces white flowers that look similar to hibiscus.

Thanks,

Hannah Thornhill

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Plant Expert Reply:

Hannah,

From the look of the bloom, it appears to be some type of hibiscus, possibly a Hibiscus coccineus. Some varieties of hibiscus, such as the coccineus, will have narrow leaves and thick stalks and are sometimes confused with Cannabis sativa. Most of the time the blooms are red, but there are also varieties with white blooms. The white variety is known as white Texas star or lone star hibiscus.

Thanks,

Jamie Jamison Adams