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Hibiscus
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Hibiscus

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameHibiscus
DescriptionSpectacular tropical shrub featuring enormous, trumpet-shaped flowers with five overlapping petals and a prominent central column of fused stamens extending beyond the petals. Blooms come in virtually every color—red, pink, orange, yellow, white, purple—often with contrasting throats or eyes. Individual flowers last only one day but are produced continuously year-round in warm climates. State flower of Hawaii, national flower of Malaysia, and beloved worldwide for dramatic, exotic beauty. Easy to grow with prolific blooms.
FamilyMalvaceae
GenusHibiscus
TribeHibisceae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaBr ⊕ ⚥ K(5) C5 A(∞) G(5)

Bracteate (epicalyx of 5-8 bracts), radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, 5 fused sepals, 5 free petals, numerous stamens fused into staminal column surrounding style, 5 fused carpels with superior ovary

Features
  • Name 'Hibiscus' from Greek 'hibiskos,' ancient name for mallow. 'Rosa-sinensis' means 'rose of China.' 'Shoe Flower' from use of petals to polish shoes in India. State flower of Hawaii. National flower of Malaysia and South Korea. About 300 Hibiscus species. Thousands of cultivars developed
  • Flowers 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) across, some cultivars up to 10 inches. Five broad, overlapping petals forming trumpet shape. Prominent staminal column (fused stamens) extends 2-3 inches beyond petals. Colors include red, pink, orange, yellow, white, purple, and multicolors. Single or double forms. Blooms year-round in tropics
  • Evergreen shrub or small tree in tropics; deciduous in cooler climates. Blooms continuously in warm conditions. Individual flowers last one day but constantly replaced. Fast-growing, reaching mature size in 2-3 years. Can be pruned as hedge or trained as standard (tree form)
  • Grows 4-10 feet (1.2-3 m) tall and wide, some varieties to 15 feet. Dwarf varieties 2-3 feet. Lifespan of 10-25+ years. Propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings (root easily in 4-6 weeks), air layering, or grafting. Seed-grown plants variable
  • Native to tropical Asia, particularly southern China and Southeast Asia. Exact origin uncertain due to ancient cultivation. Now grown throughout tropics and subtropics worldwide. Popular in Hawaii, Florida, California, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands
  • Requires full sun (6-8 hours) for best blooming. Needs well-drained, fertile soil. Water regularly; keep soil evenly moist. Feed monthly during growing season. Prune to shape. Frost tender (damaged below 32°F/0°C); bring indoors in cold climates. Zones 9-11 outdoors
  • Premier tropical ornamental for hedges, screens, specimens, and containers. Excellent houseplant in bright light. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Flowers used in leis, hair adornments. Edible flowers used in salads, teas (hibiscus tea from H. sabdariffa). Used in traditional medicine. Symbolizes delicate beauty. Easy to grow with spectacular results

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificHibiscus rosa-sinensis
English (Alternate)China Rose, Rose of Sharon, Rose Mallow, Shoeblackplant, Roselle, Jamaica Sorrel
Hindiगुड़हल (Gudhal), जवाकुसुम (Javakusum), अड़हुल (Adhul), जपाकुसुम (Japakusum), मन्दापुष्पम् (Mandapushpam)
Tamilசெம்பருத்தி (Sembaruthi)
Teluguమందార పువ్వు (Mandara Puvvu), ముద్ద మందారం (Muddha Mandaram)
Malayalamചെമ്പരത്തി (chembarathi)
Kannadaದಾಸವಾಳ (Dasavala)
Sanskritमन्दार (Mandara), जपापुष्प (Japapushpa)
Bengaliজবা (Jaba), রক্ত জবা (Rokto Jaba)
Frenchketmie
Russianгибискус (gibiskus), каркаде (karkade)
Spanishflor de Jamaica
GermanHibiskus, Hibisken

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.