This spreading shrub , often as broad as high, grows 2-3 ft., sometimes reaching 10 ft. Bright-red, pendant, hibiscus-like flowers never fully open, their petals overlapping to form a loose tube with the staminal column protruding, said to resemble a Turkish turban, hence its most common name, Turk's Cap. Especially useful in shady situations.

The flowers are fascinating on close inspection, with swirled petals that never open, but with long, protruding stamens. It is an old-fashioned, "pass-along" southern plant. This plant is moderately salt tolerant.

Host plant , specifically for the caterpillars of the Turk's-cap White-Skipper butterfly ( Heliopetes macaira ).