Mutabilis

Mutabilis is a Latin adjective meaning changeable or variable. In biological nomenclature, mutabilis is used as a species or subspecies epithet to indicate variability in appearance, color, or form among members of a taxon. The epithet is encountered across different kingdoms and taxa, often in historical or horticultural contexts, where it signals notable variability within a species or cultivar group.

In botany, Hibiscus mutabilis L., commonly known as the Confederate rose or changing hibiscus, is the best-known example bearing the epithet. Native to southern China, it is cultivated in warm regions as an ornamental shrub or small tree. Its flowers are large and five-petaled, and they undergo a conspicuous color change as they age, typically opening white or pale pink and shifting through pink to deep red over the course of a day. The plant has a sprawling habit, with lobed leaves and showy blossoms that can provide a long flowering period. Cultivation requires a sunny or lightly shaded position, well-drained soil, and regular moisture; it is sensitive to frost and is often grown as a seasonal plant in temperate climates.

Beyond Hibiscus mutabilis, the epithet mutabilis appears in various other plant and animal names, used to denote variability or changeability in some characteristic. Because it is a descriptive epithet rather than a unique taxon, specific references may vary by region and historical taxonomy.