Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis was first described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus in Species Plantarum.[9] The specific epithet rosa-sinensis literally means "rose of China", although the plant is not closely related to true roses, nor is it from China.[10] The genus Hibiscus is in the tribe Hibisceae and the subfamily Malvoideae of the family Malvaceae.[11]

Despite its size and colorful hues which are typically attractive to nectarivore birds, the flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis are not visited regularly by hummingbirds when grown in the Neotropics. Generalist species, like the sapphire-spangled emerald (Amazilia lactea), or long-billed species, like the stripe-breasted starthroat (Heliomaster squamosus) are occasionally seen to visit the flowers.[12] In the subtropical and temperate Americas, hummingbirds are regularly attracted to hibiscus.[13]

The endangered Papilio homerus butterfly, the largest in the western hemisphere, is known to feed on the nectar of the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.[14]

The stamens of the flower are partly fused into a cylinder that surrounds the style

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is one of many plant species with a genetic characteristic known as polyploidy, a condition in which the species has more than two complete sets of chromosomes.[15] A result of polyploidy is that the phenotype of a plant's offspring may be quite different from the parent plant, or indeed any ancestor, essentially allowing possibly random expression of any (or all) of the characteristics of previous generations. Because of this characteristic, H. rosa-sinensis has become popular with hobbyists who cross and recross varieties, creating new varieties. Competitions are held to exhibit and judge the many resulting new seedlings and often strikingly unique flowers.

The flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis are edible and are used in salads in the Pacific Islands. The flower is used as an accessory, particularly as a hairpiece. It is also used to shine shoes in certain parts of India, hence the common name "shoeblack plant". In Indonesia and Malaysia, these flowers are called "kembang sepatu" or "bunga sepatu", which literally means "shoe flower".[16][17] The flower can also be used as a pH indicator; when used, the flower turns acidic solutions to a dark pink or magenta color and turns basic solutions to green. Red hibiscus flowers are also used for worship; in Hinduism, they are used for the worship of Devi, and in the Bengal area of eastern India, they are used to worship Kali. The hibiscus also has an important part in tantra. In several countries the flowers are dried to use in a beverage, usually tea.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is considered to have a number of medical uses in Chinese herbology.[18] Traditional uses in China have been to make a black shoe-polish from its flower petals, or to make a woman's black hair dye.[19] The flowers are also used in parts of China to color various intoxicating liquors.[19] The plant may have some potential in cosmetic skin care; for example, an extract from the flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis has been shown to function as an anti-solar agent by absorbing ultraviolet radiation.[20]

Bud captured at noon in West Bengal

White coloured flower bud at night

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is widely grown as an ornamental plant throughout the tropics and subtropics. As it does not tolerate temperatures below 10 °C (50 °F), in temperate regions it is best grown under glass. Plants grown in containers may be placed outside during the summer months and moved into shelter during the winter months.[7][21]

Numerous cultivars exist, with flower colors ranging from white through yellow and orange to scarlet and shades of pink, with both single and double sets of petals. The cultivar 'Cooperi' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4][22]

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is the national flower of Malaysia, called bunga raya in Malay. This can be translated in a number of ways, including "great flower" or "celebratory flower." Introduced into the Malay Peninsula in the 12th century, it was nominated as the national flower in the year 1958 by the Ministry of Agriculture amongst a few other flowers, namely ylang ylang, jasmine, lotus, rose, magnolia, and medlar. On July 28, 1960, it was declared by the government of Malaysia that Hibiscus rosa-sinensis would be the national flower. The red of the petals symbolizes the courage, life, and rapid growth of the Malaysian people, and the five petals represent the five Rukun Negara of Malaysia. The flower can be found imprinted on the notes and coins of the Malaysian ringgit.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is an unofficial national flower in Haiti, where it has been used as a symbol for the promotion of tourism. The flower is also the symbol of the Fusion of Haitian Social Democrats political party. It is known in Haitian Creole language as choeblack or rose kayenn.[23][24]

The yellow variety of the hibiscus is the official flower of Hawaii, where it is often hybridized and is worn ornamentally in the hair and in lei.[25] In Hawaiian, hibiscus is called aloalo.[26]

• In March 1987, DPR Korea issued a postage stamp depicting Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.
• On October 7, 2012, Sri Lanka issued a stamp set of four, one of which depicted a Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flower.

Cultivars with flowers of many colours are used as ornamental plants. Some have double petals or have differently shaped petals.

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• Hibiscus tea
• Hibiscus

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.

• Baza Mendonça, Luciana & dos Anjos, Luiz (2005): Beija-flores (Aves, Trochilidae) e seus recursos florais em uma área urbana do Sul do Brasil [Hummingbirds (Aves, Trochilidae) and their flowers in an urban area of southern Brazil]. [Portuguese with English abstract] Revista Brasileira de Zoologia 22(1): 51–59. doi:10.1590/S0101-81752005000100007 PDF fulltext
• "Hibiscus rosa-sinensis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
• The International Hibiscus Society (International Hibiscus Society)
• The American Hibiscus Society (),(Tropical Hibiscus)
• The Australian Hibiscus Society Inc. ()
• Hibiscusmania (France) ()
• Hibiscusfreunde (Germany) (Hibiskusweb)
• Hibiscus Forrest (Hungary) (Hibiscus Forrest - Leicester's Top Guide | Leicester top blog for business and life!)
• The Hibiscus (Gurgaon)