What is an epicalyx in hibiscus and other mallow-family flowers?

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Baobab — Malvales A fony baobab tree (*Adansonia rubrostipa*), estimated to be more than 1,000 years old, in Madagascar.

In the Malvaceae family, which includes Hibiscus, an epicalyx is an outer series of structures that gives the appearance of a double calyx.1

Rather than being a true calyx, the epicalyx is formed from the bracts or floral leaves of a reduced inflorescence located exterior to the actual calyx. While the calyx itself is the outermost whorl of a flower composed of sepals, the epicalyx serves as an additional, protective involucre. This feature is a common characteristic used to help identify members of the mallow family.123