Posted by punnya on May 18, 2013, 4:51 p.m.
| Hibiscus rosa-sinensis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Brilliant' | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Hibiscus |
| Species: | H. rosa-sinensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. | |
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, known colloquially as rose mallow, Chinese hibiscus, China rose and shoe flower, is a species offlowering plant in the family Malvaceae, native to East Asia.
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Description [edit]
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is a bushy, evergreen shrub or small tree growing 2.5–5 m (8–16 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (5–10 ft) wide, with glossy leaves and solitary, brilliant red flowers in summer and autumn. The 5-petaled flowers are 10 cm (4 in) in diameter, with prominent orange-tipped red anthers.[1]
Cultivation [edit]
It 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. However, plants in containers may be placed outside during the summer months.[1]
Numerous varieties, cultivars, and hybrids are available, 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'sAward of Garden Merit.[2]
Ecology [edit]
Despite its size and red hues, which are attractive to nectar-feeding birds[citation needed], it is not visited regularly by hummingbirdswhen grown in the Neotropics. Generalists, like the Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Amazilia lactea, or long-billed species, like theStripe-breasted Starthroat, Heliomaster squamosus, are occasionally seen to visit it, however.[3] In the subtropical and temperateAmericas, hummingbirds are regularly attracted to it.[why?]
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Nomenclature [edit]
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis was named by Carolus Linnaeus. The Latin term rosa-sinensis literally means "rose of China", though it is not closely related to the true roses.[4] Is is usually known among the Chinese as zh? j?n ??, which literally means "vermilion hibiscus". It also has many other names in Chinese: fú s?ng ??, fó s?ng ??, chì j?n ??, s?ng j?n ??, rì jí ??, hu? shàng hu????, zhào diàn hóng ???, zhuàng yuán hóng ???, dà hóng hu? ???, and so on. It also has prominent presence in the various parts of the Indian subcontinent. It has several names in different languages: Jaswand in Marathi, Bengali: ??? (Jaba),Tamil: ??????????? (sembaruthi), Hindi: ??????, ??????, ??????, ???,[5] ??? ?????[6], Malayalam: ?????????? (cemparatti), Mondaroin Oriya, Wada Mal in Sinhala, Mamdaram in Telugu: ??????, Kembang Sepatu in Indonesia and Gumamela in Filipino.
National symbol [edit]
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is the national flower of Malaysia, called Bunga Raya in Malay. 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 28 July 1960, it was declared by the government of Malaysia that the hibiscus would be the national flower.
The word bunga in Malay means "flower", while raya in Malay means "big" or "grand". The hibiscus is literally known as the "big flower" in Malay. The red of the petals symbolizes the courage, life, and rapid growth of the Malaysian, 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.
