Nature Description:
Hibiscus is often noted as nature showy flowers and commonly known as hibiscus or less widely as rosemallow or flor de Jamaica. 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. The color of the Hibiscus grows darker as it ages. The fruit is a dry five-lobed capsule, containing several seeds in each lobe, which are released when the capsule splits open at maturity.
Uses:
One species of Hibiscus, known as Kenef is used in paper making. Another roselle is used as a vegetable and to make herbal teas and jams. Hibiscus is used as ingredient of herbal tea. In Egypt and Sudan , roselle petals are used to make a tea named after the plant Karkade.
The Hibiscus is used as an offering to Godess Kali and Lord Ganesha in Hindu worship.
The bark of the hibiscus contains strong fibers. Esoecially white hibiscus, is considered to have medicinal properties in the Indian traditional system of medicine, Ayurveda. Roots make various ailments to cure. A 2008 USDA consuming hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure in a group of pre-hypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults. The natives of Southern India use the Red hibiscus 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. Its petals are used to cure fever while its roots are used to cure cough.
National symbol:
Hibiscus syriacus is the national flower of South Korea.
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is the national flower of Malaysia.
