Effect:
not known
Areas of application:
not known
Parts of the plant used:
Flowers, roots, leaves
Collection time:
-
Found:
In tropical East Africa.
Ingredients:
Anthocyanin (cyanidin-3-sambusophoroside), triterpenes
Other:
Hibiscus schizopetalus is a species of hibiscus native to tropical East Africa in Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. Its common names include fringed rose mallow, Japanese lantern, coral hibiscus and spider hibiscus. The coral hibiscus (Hibiscus schizopetalus) has red or pink flowers and is recognizable by its ruffled, finely divided petals. The leaves resemble those of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. The leaves are stalked and simple. The petiole is 5 to 20 mm long. The 4 to 9 cm long and 2 to 5 cm wide leaf blade is broad to narrowly egg-shaped. The leaves are hairy only along the veins on the underside of the leaf. The leaf margin is toothed or serrated. The thread-like stipules are hairy and 5 to 12 mm.
The coral hibiscus is cultivated as an ornamental plant for tropical and subtropical gardens. In temperate climates it does not tolerate temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, but it can be grown outdoors in a sheltered spot with full sun in alkaline or neutral soil during the summer months.
It has been awarded the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society.
In China, the hibiscus is a symbol of fame, wealth and splendor, as well as of the sexual attractiveness of a young girl. The story The Hibiscus Umbrella, which is known in many versions, is worth mentioning.
Hibiscus has been the national flower of Malaysia since 1960. Its five petals symbolize the five principles of the nation. In Malay, it is called bunga raya, which means "big flower" or "big blossom."
Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae). The genus is quite large, comprising several hundred species native to warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions around the world. The species are known for their large, showy flowers and are commonly referred to simply as "hibiscus" or, less commonly, rose mallow. Other names include hardy hibiscus, shrub rose and tropical hibiscus. It is also the national flower of the Bahamas.
A tea made from the flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa is known by many names around the world and is served both hot and cold. The drink is known for its red color, tart taste and vitamin C content.
The red hibiscus is the flower of the Hindu goddess Kali and appears frequently in depictions of her in the art of Bengal, India, with the goddess and flower often merging in form. The hibiscus is used in Hindu worship as an offering to Kali and the god Ganesha.
In the Philippines, the gumamela (the local name for hibiscus) is used by children as a bubble-blowing toy. The flowers and leaves are crushed until sticky juice comes out. Hollow papaya stems are then dipped in it and used as straws for blowing bubbles. When combined with soap, the hibiscus juice creates more bubbles. In Waray, particularly in the province of Eastern Samar, the plant is also called "tarukanga".
The hibiscus flower is traditionally worn by women in the Pacific islands. It is a well-known common custom that if a woman wears the flower behind her left ear, she is married or has a boyfriend. If the flower is worn on the right hand, she is single or open to a relationship. The pink hibiscus flower originated in Asia and the Pacific Islands, where it served as a symbol of beauty, femininity, and young love. It is commonly associated with Hawaiian culture and the aloha spirit, which celebrates love, happiness, and peace.
A stylized image of the hibiscus flower was used as the logo of Air Polynésie.
Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie named her first novel Purple Hibiscus after the delicate flower.
The bark of the hibiscus contains strong bast fibers, which can be obtained by laying the peeled bark out in the sea and allowing the organic material to rot.
A coastal area in Auckland, New Zealand is called the Hibiscus Coast, and is named after the non-native flower, which is associated with beach and vacation atmospheres. (Wikipedia)