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Hibiscus
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Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis
Family: Malvaceae or Mallow family
Other Common Names
Bunga Raya, Kembang Sepatu, Bebaru and others according to species
Region of Origin
South China, hybrids developed in Florida & Hawaii (USA)
Description
This ever-flowering garden shrub with its many lovely colours and forms takes the
place of the standard rose in Malaysian gardens. The hibiscus is Malaysia's national
flower (five petals variety) and is also the State flower of Hawaii. H.rosa-sinensis
is the most common Hibiscus in Malaysia. Several species of Hibiscus are common and
are mostly introduced, for example the red hibiscus (bunga raya), coral hibiscus
(H. schizopetalous) and rose mallow (H. mutabilis).
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Hibiscus is from the Mallow
family which comprises herbs or soft-woody shrubs, or trees such as the Durian and
the Kapok. Its flowers are bisexual, regular and often showy, solitary or in an inflorescence
with 5 large petals. Its 5-lobed Calyx is toothed and is often subtended by an epicalyx.
Its stamens are numerous, monadelphous, and has a conspicuous staminal tube, enclosing
the gynoecium. One of the most misinterpreted perception of Hibiscus by public is,
the flowering of this flower only lasts a day. But because it has numerous flower
buds, constant flowering seems to misled people thinking it blossoms for few days.
It is one of the most common flower you can find in Malaysia and over the years,
many crossbreed species have been successfully groomed (see a few of the common varieties
shown below of this page).
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Propagation
Heeled cuttings under
mist, low branch layering, seeds. The success of cuttings depends heavily on the
variety. Even for easy varieties, the cuttings might takes 2 or 3 months to start
growing, showing that their have developed a root system. Be patient. Use layering
or air layering for the more difficult varieties.
Needs full sun. It requires
frequent deep watering, but good drainage. Preferbly sandy soil rich in organic matters.
It is sensitive to root rot if the ground stays soaked. Check regularly for aphids
and mealy bugs, and fertilize.
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Medicinal Properties The
juice is extracted from the petals and is taken as a tea to treat painful and excessive
menstruation and to prevent miscarriage. It is also used to treat cystitis, venereal
diseases, feverish illnesses, and coughs, and to promote hair growth. In Belize,
the mashed leaves are placed on the forehead to relieve headaches and fever. Old
days, some rural Malay community (kampong) in Malaysia may make use of the petals
for make-up such as darken and/or enhancing womenís eyebrows. I have seen a Malaysian
Company caning petals of Hibiscus with honey a couple of years back but it was missing
from the rack of supermarket lately. I think it is kind of difficult to convince
Malaysian to treat Hibiscus as health supplements and other than decorative value
for tropical garden and/or for public parks or roads, commercial value of Hibiscus
as decorative flowering for indoor is quite low.
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Notes: Hibiscus is also sometimes called
"shoe flower" (Jamaican way) as the mucilaginous flowers were used for
polishing shoes in the West Indies and Bali. The blooms can do more than just decorate
your garden! The pretty flowers make a colourful edible ornament for salads. Buds
can be pickled or boiled as a vegetable; flowers can be stuffed, made into fritters
or into tea. The Rose of Sharon, national flower of South Korea which has a strong
cold-resistant characteristic may have also be a family of this flower.
NOTE: All
pictures shown are contributed by 
of Photography in Malaysia. Larger file size for respective images appeared here in this
section are available on request. However, commercial application of these images
may require contribution to Khathulistiwa (NATURE) website as development fund.
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Some interesting Links
relating to Hibiscus:
International Hibiscus Society
Tropical Hibiscus
American Hibiscus Society
HIBISCUSMANIA, Hibiscus site, with a French flavour
Winn Soldani's fancy Hibiscus
Australian
native Hibiscus family
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