Photo's of Hibiscus

Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is quite large, containing about 200–220 species that are native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. Member species are often noted for their showy flowers and are commonly known as hibiscus, sorrel, and flor de Jamaica, or less widely known as rosemallow. The genus includes both annual and perennial herbaceous plants, as well as woody shrubs and small trees. The generic name is derived from the Greek word iβίσκος (hibískos), which was the name Pedanius Dioscorides (ca. 40-90) gave to Althaea officinalis.

Description

The leaves are alternate, simple, ovate to lanceolate, often with a toothed or lobed margin. The flowers are large, conspicuous, trumpet-shaped, with five or more petals, ranging from white to pink, red, orange, purple or yellow, and from 4–18 cm broad. Flower color in certain species, such as H. mutabilis and H. tiliaceus, changes with age.[5] The fruit is a dry five-lobed capsule, containing several seeds in each lobe, which are released when the capsule dehisces (splits open) at maturity.

Uses

Many species are grown for their showy flowers or used as landscape shrubs. Many species are used to attract butterflies and bees. Hibiscus is also a primary ingredient in many herbal teas.

One species of Hibiscus, known as Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), is extensively used in paper making. Another, roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is used as a vegetable and to make herbal teas and jams, especially in the Caribbean.

In Jamaica and many other islands in the Caribbean, the drink is known as sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa; not to be confused with Rumex acetosa, a species sharing the common name sorrel) and is considered a quite popular at Christmas time. It is served cold and mixed with other herbs, roots, and spices and sweetened with cane sugar. Often it is served mixed with Jamaican rum or wine but is also refreshing without any alcohol. Roselle is typically boiled in an enamel-coated large stock pot as most West Indians believe the metal from aluminum, steel or copper pots will destroy the natural minerals and vitamins. A large quantity of the flower is used to ensure a thick dark red tea is made. The tea is popular as a natural diuretic and contains vitamin C and minerals and is used traditionally as a mild medicine.

All over the world, the tea drink is consumed hot or cold. It is known as Bissap in West Africa, Karkadé in Egypt and Sudan, flor de Jamaica in Mexico, Gongura in India and Brazil. Some refer to it as roselle, a common name for the hibiscus flower.

In Mexico, it is well known for its color, tanginess and mild flavor; once sugar is added, it tastes somewhat like a more intense herbal and berry (cranberry, raspberry, etc.) infused tea. Dieters or people with kidney problems often take it without adding sugar for its beneficial properties and as a natural diuretic.

In Cambodia, a cold berverage can be prepared by first steeping the petals in hot water until the colors are leached from the petals, then adding lime juice (which turns the beverage from dark brown/red to a bright red), sweeteners (sugar/honey) and finally cold water/ice cubes.

Certain species of hibiscus are also beginning to be used more widely as a natural source of food coloring (E163), and replacement of Red #3 / E127.

Hibiscus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Chionodes hibiscella, Hypercompe hambletoni, the Nutmeg moth, and the Turnip Moth.

The Hibiscus is used as an offering to goddess Kali and Lord Ganesha in Hindu worship.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is considered to have a number of medical uses in Chinese herbology.

The bark of the hibiscus contains strong bast fibres. They can be obtained by letting the stripped bark sit in the sea in order to let the organic material rot away. In Polynesia these fibers (fau, pūrau) are used for making grass skirts. They have also been known to be used to make wigs.

Hibiscus, especially White Hibiscus and Red hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), is considered to have medicinal properties in the Indian traditional system of medicine, Ayurveda. Roots make various concoctions believed to cure ailments such as cough. The flowers are boiled in oil along with other spices to make a medicated hair oil to prevent greying and hair loss. The leaves and flowers are ground into a fine paste with a little water and the resulting lathery paste is used as a shampoo plus conditioner.

A 2008 USDA study shows consuming hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure in a group of pre-hypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults. Three cups of tea daily resulted in an average drop of 7.2 point in their systolic blood pressure, compared to a 1.3 point drop in the volunteers who drank the placebo beverage. Study participants with higher blood pressure readings (129 or above) had a greater response to hibiscus tea: their systolic blood pressure went down by 13.2 points. These data support the idea that drinking hibiscus tea in an amount readily incorporated into the diet may play a role in controlling blood pressure, although more research is required.

In the Philippines, the gumamela (local name for hibiscus) is used by children as part of a bubble-making pastime. The flowers and leaves are crushed until the sticky juices come out. Hollow papaya stalks are then dipped into this and used as straws for blowing bubbles.

Dried hibiscus is edible, and is often a delicacy in Mexico. It can also be candied and used as a garnish.

The red hibiscus flower is traditionally worn by Tahitian women. A single flower is tucked behind the ear. It is used to indicate the wearer's availability for marriage.

National symbol

Hibiscus syriacus is the national flower of South Korea.
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is the national flower of Malaysia

Species

In temperate zones, probably the most commonly grown ornamental species is Hibiscus syriacus, the common garden Hibiscus, also known in some areas as the "Rose of Althea" or "Rose of Sharon" (but not to be confused with the unrelated Hypericum calycinum, also called "Rose of Sharon"). In tropical and subtropical areas, the Chinese hibiscus (H. rosa-sinensis), with its many showy hybrids, is the most popular hibiscus.

About 200-220 species are known, including:

* Hibiscus acetosella Welw. ex Hiern. - False Roselle
* Hibiscus arnottianus A.Gray - Kokiʻo ʻula (Hawaii)
* Hibiscus brackenridgei A.Gray - Maʻo hau hele (Hawaii)
* Hibiscus calyphyllus (Tropical Africa)
* Hibiscus cameronii
* Hibiscus cannabinus L. - Kenaf
* Hibiscus clayi O.Deg. & I.Deg. - Hawaiian Red Hibiscus (Hawaii)
* Hibiscus coccineus (Medik.) Walter
* Hibiscus dasycalyx - Neches River Rosemallow
* Hibiscus denudatus Benth. - Pale Face (Southwestern United States, Northwestern Mexico)
* Hibiscus dioscorides A.G.Mill. (Yemen)
* Hibiscus diriffan A.G.Mill. (Yemen)
* Hibiscus diversifolius
* Hibiscus elatus
* Hibiscus escobariae
* Hibiscus ficulneus
* Hibiscus fragilis DC. - Mandrinette (Mascarene Islands)
* Hibiscus furcellatus Desr. - Lindenleaf rosemallow (Caribbean, Florida, Central America, South America, Hawaii)
* Hibiscus fuscus
* Hibiscus genevii Bojer (Mauritius)
* Hibiscus grandiflorus Michx. - Swamp Rosemallow (Southeastern United States)
* Hibiscus hamabo
* Hibiscus hastatus
* Hibiscus heterophyllus - Native Rosella
* Hibiscus indicus
* Hibiscus insularis Endl. - Phillip Island Hibiscus (Phillip Island)
* Hibiscus laevis All. - Halberd-leaved Rosemallow (Central and Eastern North America)
* Hibiscus lasiocarpos
* Hibiscus lavaterioides
* Hibiscus ludwigii
* Hibiscus macrophyllus
* Hibiscus macropodus
* Hibiscus malacophyllus Balf.f. (Yemen)
* Hibiscus militaris - Syn. of Hibiscus laevis
* Hibiscus moscheutos Welw. ex Hiern. - Crimsoneyed Rosemallow (Central and Eastern North America)
* Hibiscus mutabilis L. - Cotton Rosemallow (East Asia)
* Hibiscus paramutabilis
* Hibiscus pedunculatus
* Hibiscus platanifolius
* Hibiscus radiatus
* Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. - Chinese hibiscus (East Asia)
* Hibiscus sabdariffa L. - Roselle, Omutete, or Sorrel
* Hibiscus schizopetalus
* Hibiscus scottii
* Hibiscus socotranus
* Hibiscus sinosyriacus
* Hibiscus splendens
* Hibiscus stenanthus Balf.f. (Yemen)
* Hibiscus striatus
* Hibiscus syriacus L. - Rose of Sharon (Asia)
* Hibiscus tiliaceus L. - Sea hibiscus (Australia, Southeast Asia, Oceania)
* Hibiscus trilobus
* Hibiscus trionum L. - Flower-of-an-Hour
* Hibiscus waimeae A.Heller - Kokiʻo keʻokeʻo (Hawaii)

References:

1. ^ "Hibiscus L.". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2007-10-05.
http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/genus.pl?5665. Retrieved 2010-02-16.
2. ^ Oxford English Dictionary
3. ^ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
4. ^ Lawton, Barbara Perry (2004). Hibiscus: Hardy and Tropical Plants for the Garden. Timber Press. p. 36. ISBN 9780881926545. http://books.google.com/?id=VSEbamKS5uQC.
5. ^ Lee, David Webster (2007). Nature's Palette: the Science of Plant Color. University of Chicago Press. p. 183. ISBN 9780226470528. http://books.google.com/?id=M3e5wyFJY-8C.
6. ^ Floridata: Plants That Attract Butterflies
7. ^ Food Additive World - Hibiscus (accessed 03/05/2009)
8. ^ Nature's Flavours - Hibiscus Red (accessed 03/05/2009)
9. ^ Plants for a Future: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. (accessed 07/05/2009)
10. ^ Study Shows Consuming Hibiscus Tea Lowers Blood Pressure (accessed 05/10/2009)
11. ^ Nation's Restaurant News: Hibiscus blossoms as a food, drink ingredient.

Web References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibiscus