Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
The Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, family Malvaceae) is an evergreen shrub native to East Asia. It is also known as China rose and shoe flower. It is widely grown as an ornamental plant 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 and "Sembaruthi" in Tamil and mamdaram in Telugu (మందారం). The flowers are used to shine shoes in parts of India, as well as for the worship of Devi. Hibiscus flowers are also used for hair care.

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