ns throughout the world. The genus includes both annual and perennial herbaceous plants, and woody shrubs and small trees.Many species are grown for their showy flowers or used as landscape shrubs.
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 Mexico, the Jamaican drink is quite popular and is made from calyces of the roselle plant. In Egypt and Sudan, roselle petals make a tea named after the plant, karkade.
Hibiscus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Chionod
es hibiscella, Hypercompe hambletoni, the Nutmeg moth, and the Turnip Moth.
The Hibiscus is used as an offering to God Kali and Lord Ganesha in Hindu worship.
The bark of the hibiscus contains strong fibers. 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, espcially white hibiscus is considered to have medicinal properties in the Indian traditional system of medicine, Ayurveda. Roots make various decoctions believed to cure various ailments.
The natives of southern India uses the Red hibiscus- the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis for hair care purposes. The red flower and leaves, extracts of which can be applied on hair to tackle hair-fall and dandruff on the scalp. It is used to make hair protective oils. A simple application involves soaking the leaves and flowers in water and using a wet grinder to make a thick paste, and used as a natural shampoo.
National symbol
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 Mexico, the Jamaican drink is quite popular and is made from calyces of the roselle plant. In Egypt and Sudan, roselle petals make a tea named after the plant, karkade.
Hibiscus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Chionod
es hibiscella, Hypercompe hambletoni, the Nutmeg moth, and the Turnip Moth.The Hibiscus is used as an offering to God Kali and Lord Ganesha in Hindu worship.
The bark of the hibiscus contains strong fibers. 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, espcially white hibiscus is considered to have medicinal properties in the Indian traditional system of medicine, Ayurveda. Roots make various decoctions believed to cure various ailments.
The natives of southern India uses the Red hibiscus- the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis for hair care purposes. The red flower and leaves, extracts of which can be applied on hair to tackle hair-fall and dandruff on the scalp. It is used to make hair protective oils. A simple application involves soaking the leaves and flowers in water and using a wet grinder to make a thick paste, and used as a natural shampoo.
National symbol
The Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Bunga Raya or "Chinese hibiscus") is the national flower of Malaysia.
The ma‘o hau hele (Hibiscus brackenridgei) is the state flower of Hawai‘i.
The Hibiscus syriacus (Mugunghwa or "Rose of Sharon") is the national flower of South Korea.
The Native Hibiscus is a national emblem of the Stolen Generation of indigenous peoples in Australia. Its colour denotes compassion and spiritual healing.
Species
The ma‘o hau hele (Hibiscus brackenridgei) is the state flower of Hawai‘i.
The Hibiscus syriacus (Mugunghwa or "Rose of Sharon") is the national flower of South Korea.
The Native Hibiscus is a national emblem of the Stolen Generation of indigenous peoples in Australia. Its colour denotes compassion and spiritual healing.
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.
The genus Hibiscus includes some 200 species, seven of which are regarded as native Hawaii
an hibiscus. Although tourists regularly do associate the hibiscus flower with their experiences visiting the US state of Hawai‘i, and the plant family Malvaceae includes a relatively large number of species that are native to the Hawaiian Islands, those flowers presented to or regularly observed by tourists are generally not the native hibiscus flowers. Most commonly grown as ornamental plants in the Islands are the Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) and its numerous hybrids.
The native plants in the genus Hibiscus in Hawai‘i are thought to have derived from four independent colonization events: two for the five endemic species (four closely related species plus the yellow-flowered species) and one each for the two indigenous species (Wagner, Herbst, and Sohmer, 1990).
The native hibiscus (genus Hibiscus) found in Hawai‘i are:
an hibiscus. Although tourists regularly do associate the hibiscus flower with their experiences visiting the US state of Hawai‘i, and the plant family Malvaceae includes a relatively large number of species that are native to the Hawaiian Islands, those flowers presented to or regularly observed by tourists are generally not the native hibiscus flowers. Most commonly grown as ornamental plants in the Islands are the Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) and its numerous hybrids.The native plants in the genus Hibiscus in Hawai‘i are thought to have derived from four independent colonization events: two for the five endemic species (four closely related species plus the yellow-flowered species) and one each for the two indigenous species (Wagner, Herbst, and Sohmer, 1990).
The native hibiscus (genus Hibiscus) found in Hawai‘i are:
Hibiscus arnottianus A. Gray – koki‘o ke‘oke‘o ("koki‘o that is white like the shine of silver") is an endemic species of hibiscus with white flowers. Three subspecies are recognized: H. arnottianus arnottianus found in the Wai‘anae mountain of western O‘ahu; 
H. a. immaculatus which is very rare (listed as endangered) on Moloka‘i; and H. a. punaluuensis from the Ko‘olau Range on O‘ahu. Perhaps only a dozen plants of H. a. immaculatus exist in nature. This species is closely related to H. waimeae, and the two are among the very few members of the genus with fragrant flowers. Sometimes planted as an ornamental or crossed with H. rosa-sinensis (see photo).
Hibiscus brackenridgei A. Gray – ma‘o hau hele ("hau most similar to ma‘o") is a tall shrub with bright yellow flowers, closely related to the widespread H. divaricatus. Two subspecies are recognized: H. b. brackenridgei, a sprawling shrub to an erect tree found on Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i; and H. b. mokuleianus, a tree from dry habitats on Kaua‘i and Wai‘anae mountains on O‘ahu. This species is listed as an endangered species by the USFWS. The yellow flower of this species is the official state flower of Hawai‘i, and although endangered in its natural habitats, has become a moderately popular ornamental in Hawaiian yards.
H. a. immaculatus which is very rare (listed as endangered) on Moloka‘i; and H. a. punaluuensis from the Ko‘olau Range on O‘ahu. Perhaps only a dozen plants of H. a. immaculatus exist in nature. This species is closely related to H. waimeae, and the two are among the very few members of the genus with fragrant flowers. Sometimes planted as an ornamental or crossed with H. rosa-sinensis (see photo).Hibiscus brackenridgei A. Gray – ma‘o hau hele ("hau most similar to ma‘o") is a tall shrub with bright yellow flowers, closely related to the widespread H. divaricatus. Two subspecies are recognized: H. b. brackenridgei, a sprawling shrub to an erect tree found on Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i; and H. b. mokuleianus, a tree from dry habitats on Kaua‘i and Wai‘anae mountains on O‘ahu. This species is listed as an endangered species by the USFWS. The yellow flower of this species is the official state flower of Hawai‘i, and although endangered in its natural habitats, has become a moderately popular ornamental in Hawaiian yards.
Hibiscus clayi Degener & Degener – An endemic shrub or small tree with bright red flowers, generally similar to H. kokio, and found in nature on Kaua‘i in dry forests. Listed as endangered by USFWS.
Hibiscus furcellatus Desr. – a pink-flowered hibiscus considered an indigenous species, typically found in low and marshy areas of the West Indies, Florida, Central and South America, and Hawai‘i, where it is known as ‘akiohala, ‘akiahala, hau hele, and hau hele wai (entirely puce hau").
Hibiscus furcellatus Desr. – a pink-flowered hibiscus considered an indigenous species, typically found in low and marshy areas of the West Indies, Florida, Central and South America, and Hawai‘i, where it is known as ‘akiohala, ‘akiahala, hau hele, and hau hele wai (entirely puce hau").
Hibiscus kokio Hillebr. – koki‘o or koki‘o ‘ula ("red koki‘o")is a shrub or small tree with red to orangish (or rarely yellow) flowers. This endemic species is not officially listed, but considered rare in nature. Two subspecies are recognized: H. kokio kokio found in dry to wet forests on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui, and possibly Hawai‘i; and H. k. saintjohnianus from northwestern Kaua‘i.
Hibiscus tiliaceus L. – hau is a spreading shrub or tree common to the tr
opics and subtropics, especially in coastal areas. This species is possibly indigenous to Hawai‘i, but may have been introduced by the early Polynesians.
Hibiscus waimeae A. Heller – koki‘o ke‘oke‘o or koki‘o kea ("koki‘o that is white as snow") is a Hawaiian endemic, gray-barked tree, 6-10 m tall, with white flowers that fade to pink in the afternoon. Two subspecies are recognized: H. waimeae hannerae (rare and listed as endangered) found in northwestern valleys of Kaua‘i, and H. w. waimeae occurring in the Waimea Canyon and some western to southern valleys on Kaua‘i. This species closely resembles H. arnottianus in a number of characteristics.
Other Malvaceae
Hibiscus tiliaceus L. – hau is a spreading shrub or tree common to the tr
opics and subtropics, especially in coastal areas. This species is possibly indigenous to Hawai‘i, but may have been introduced by the early Polynesians.Hibiscus waimeae A. Heller – koki‘o ke‘oke‘o or koki‘o kea ("koki‘o that is white as snow") is a Hawaiian endemic, gray-barked tree, 6-10 m tall, with white flowers that fade to pink in the afternoon. Two subspecies are recognized: H. waimeae hannerae (rare and listed as endangered) found in northwestern valleys of Kaua‘i, and H. w. waimeae occurring in the Waimea Canyon and some western to southern valleys on Kaua‘i. This species closely resembles H. arnottianus in a number of characteristics.
Other Malvaceae
In addition to the species of Hibiscus listed above, there are several other related Hawaiian plants of the family Malvaceae whose flowers resemble hibiscus flowers, although are generally smaller. The endemic genus, Hibiscadelphus, comprises seven species described from Hawaiʻi. Three of these are now thought to be extinct and the remaining four are listed as critically endangered or extinct in the wild. Another endemic genus, Kokia, comprises four species of trees. All but one (K. kauaiensis) are listed and either extinct or nearly extinct in the wild.
Three endemic species of the New World genus, Abutilon occur in Hawaiʻi: A. eremitopetalum, A. menziesii, and A. sandwicense; all are listed as endangered. The cotton plant (genus Gossypium), whose bright yellow flowers are certainly hibiscus-like, includes one endemic: G. tomentosum, uncommon but found in dry places on all the main islands except Hawaiʻi. The widespread milo (Thespesia populnea) is an indigenous tree with yellow and maroon flowers.
Three endemic species of the New World genus, Abutilon occur in Hawaiʻi: A. eremitopetalum, A. menziesii, and A. sandwicense; all are listed as endangered. The cotton plant (genus Gossypium), whose bright yellow flowers are certainly hibiscus-like, includes one endemic: G. tomentosum, uncommon but found in dry places on all the main islands except Hawaiʻi. The widespread milo (Thespesia populnea) is an indigenous tree with yellow and maroon flowers.
