Chinese hibiscus

Chinese hibiscus hybrid
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Malvales Family: Malvaceae Genus: Hibiscus Species: rosa-sinensis
Binomial name
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Ref: ITIS 21611

The Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.; family Malvaceae) is an evergreen shrub native to east Asia, also known as China rose and Shoe flower. It is widely grown as an ornamental throughout the tropics and subtropics. The flowers are large, red, firm, but lack any scent. Numerous cultivars, varieties, and hybrids have been created, with flower colors ranging from white through yellow and orange to scarlet and shades of pink, with both single and double sets of petals.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is the national flower of Malaysia, called the Bunga Raya in Malay. The flowers are used to shine shoes in parts of India.

External links

• Varieties and cultivars of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. – discussion of taxonomy
• Hibiscus rosa-sinensis – Malaysian Ornamental Plants Pictorial