Hibiscus is from the Mallow family (the family Malvaceae) which comprises both annual and perennial herbs and soft-woody shrubs and trees. The genus Hibiscus, also known as the Rose Mallow, is a large genus of about 200-220 species of flowering plants. The name “Hibiscus” comes from hibiscos, the old Greek name for the common marsh mallow. Hibiscus plants are native to warm, temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. The most commonly grown species is the Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis, which means China Rose.
Hibiscus plants bloom from mid-summer until the first frost. Some Hibiscus plants produce flowers year-round. Although the flowering of the Hibiscus flower only lasts a day, the Hibiscus plant can produce up to a hundred blooms in a season.
Hibiscus flowers are bisexual, regular, trumpet-shaped and often showy and solitary. The have five or more petals. Hibiscus flowers may reach up to 12 inches in diameter. These flowers can range in color from white, yellow to pink, red and purple.
Most Hibiscus flowers are used as ornamental flowers. Hibiscus flowers are also used in the processing of juices, jellies, jams, ice cream and flavors. Sometimes Hibiscus flowers are used as a natural source of food colouring.
Often Hibiscus flowers are used a primary ingredient in many herbal teas. Hibiscus tea is a popular drink that has many medicinal properties. Hibiscus tea contains high concentrations of flavonoids called anthocyanins that are antiflammotory. Hibiscus tea is used internally for stimulating appetite, soothing irritated tissues. The tea from the petals of the Hibiscus flower is used to treat painful and excessive menstruation and to prevent miscarriage. It is also used to treat cystitis, venereal diseases, feverish illnesses, bronchial catarrh and to promote hair growth. The Hibiscus flower tea reduces cholesterol level in their blood.
The Hibiscus flower is traditionally worn by Hawaiian women. A single Hibiscus flower is tucked behind the ear. Which ear is used indicates the wearer’s availability for marriage. The Hibiscus flower behind a girl’s right ear means “I have a lover or a husband” and if its behind her left ear, it means “I seek a lover or a husband”. The flower behind both ears means that woman is taken but prefers another lover.
No one can deny the delicate beauty of the Hibiscus flower and this makes it a symbol of delicate and fragile beauty.
The Hibiscus plant grows about 6 feet tall, 6 feet wide and has medium-sized glossy green leaves with large flowers of a tropical appearance. The flowers occur towards the ends of the branches and have a strong, sweet fragrance. Hibiscus flowers may come in pink, red, white, orange, maroon, salmon, purple or yellow depending on species. The Hibiscus flowers have beautifully-colored centers.
The Hibiscus flowers of all the plants are similar. They are conspicuous, trumpet-shaped with five or more petals. Some Hibiscus flowers are large and others are average. The size varies from a 2 inch diameter blossom to a 10 or 12 inch. The center of the Hibiscus flower has a long stamen that gives this bloom its striking appearance and hummingbirds love. Each stamen consists of a stalk, filament and anther.
The flowering of the Hibiscus flower only lasts a day. This is a reason why the Hibiscus flowers have been called “Flowers-on-an hour”. They open in the morning and wilt late afternoon. However, the buds grow quickly and new Hibiscus flowers continue to open over a long period, usually from spring to summer.
HIBISCUS FLOWER MEANING
The Hibiscus flower has been assigned special meaning and significance in some countries.
The Hibiscus flower, also known as the Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis, Bunga Raya or “Chinese Hibiscus” is the national symbol of Malaysia Malaysia via early trade from its original home in China , Japan
The Hibiscus flower is found in abundance throughout the country. It comes in many different varieties and colors. The Red five-petalled types was chosen to be the national flower in 1960 by Malaysia Malaysia
The Hibiscus flower (Hibiscus Syriacus, Rose of Sharon) is also the national flower of South Korea Korea South Korea
The five petals of the Hibiscus flower represent five traditional kinds of duty, five kinds of happiness, five kinds of unity and other qualities that all add up to the meaning of peace and happiness.
The Hibiscus flower is also the state flower of Hawaii
CARE
The Hibiscus is a tropical plant and needs a warm temperature to grow. The temperature of its environment should not fall below sixty degrees. If temperatures fall below sixty degrees, the Hibiscus plant should be taken indoors. At temperature below sixty, the Hibiscus plant will stop growing and it will not produce Hibiscus flowers.
The maintain the Hibiscus plant healthy, the soil must be kept evenly moist at all times. The Hibiscus plant should be watered until the soil becomes a dark color, almost black. During the summer months the Hibiscus needs to be watered daily. The plant won’t produce any Hibiscus flowers if it doesn’t get enough water. Once temperatures become cooler, water the Hibiscus plant less.
Full sun is necessary to make the Hibiscus plant grow sturdy and to produce Hibiscus flowers. The hibiscus plant can tolerate partial shade, but best blooming is achived in full sun. The plant needs at least 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight a day for best flowering.
Hibiscus plants also require high fertility in the soil to produce large Hibiscus flowers. A Hibiscus fertilizer is available at any local garden store. For prolific flowering, the Hibiscus must have regular feedings every week during the growing period from March to October. In the winter time, you do not need to ferilize it at all.
The Hibiscus plant also adapt well to growing in containers. If you grow the Hibiscus at home, your plant needs a lot of light to flower bud formation. Otherwise, the plant grows, but will not produce Hibiscus flowers.
FLOWER USES
The Hibiscus plant has many different benefits and uses. It has been used as an ornamental for its showy flowers, for its medicinal properties, for dying clothes and coloring food for centures.
Due to their soothing and astringent properties, Hibiscus flowers have been traditionally used to treat conditions such as cancer, gallbladder attacks, diabetes, constipation, respiratory problems, milf bladder infections, mild nausea, disorders of circulation, to lower blood pressure, to ease menstrual cramps and labor pains, to increase urination, to relieve dry coughs, and to treat skin affictions. Hibiscus flowers are rich in Vitamin C and contain substantioal quantities of flavonoids and proanthocyanidins, which are associated with antioxidant, fever-reducing, pain-relieving, and spasm-inhibiting activities.
The Hibiscus flower has been used for a long time as an ingredient in herbal teas. It has a tart, fruity taste. The Hibiscus flower is often dried and used as an ingredient for culinary uses. It is a good addition to spicy salads, sauces, curries and also can be used for desserts such as cupcakes, yougurts, ice creams, jellies and tarts. In Europe and America Hibiscus flowers are used as food colorings.
Hibiscus flower are used in hair care. They are used in hair oils, shampoos, hair tonic and conditioners. Hibiscus flowers help in thickening, growing, preventing premature graying, hair loss and darkening the hair.
Hibiscus flowers are well known for their decorative properties. They have soft petals and come in vibrant colors. Hibiscus flowers are often used in leis for special events. Dried Hibiscus flowers are used for dried arrangements such as wreaths, swags, baskets and garlands.
TEA
Hibiscus tea is a drink made from dried Hibiscus flowers and has been consumed for thousands of years. It is a tart, sour, bright red, caffeined free herbal tea. Hibiscus tea has a wonderful aroma and a mildly sweet flavor. The method of preparation is varied in different countries. It can be drunk either hot or cold. Hibiscus tea is popular in cocktails in the Caribbean .
Hibiscus tea has many health benefits. Hibiscus tea is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, iron, this tea also contains beta-caroten, making it an antioxidant-it replaces electrolytes and can ease symptoms of colds, flu, coughs and strengthen the immune system. Antioxidants are important in the fighting free radicals and prevention of certain cancers.
Hibiscus tea is beneficial for lowering cholesterol, increasing appetite, has laxtive and diuretic effects. Traditionally it has been used to stimulate intestinal peristalsis, support cardiovascular health and prevent bladder infections and constipation if taken regularly. It treats heart diseases and liver problems. Hibiscus tea is used to remedy heavy or painful menstruation, muscle cramps and spasms.
Hibiscus tea is also used to promote weight loss. It has a certain property that allows it to slow or hinder the production of an anzyme called amylase. This enzyme will breakdown the starches, sugars and carbohydrates and prevent a person from gaining excess weight.
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