Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Chinese Hibiscus)

The Chinese Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is a species from the genus Hibiscus and from the family Malvaceae. On the origin of the wild form is unknown, since it was collected by Europeans in many parts of Asia to Pacific Islands only in breeding forms, it is suspected that the origin of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis was Eastern or China. There are many varieties that are used as an ornamental in parks, gardens and rooms, some of these varietes grow in our garden.

An evergreen shrup that will be up to 3 to 10 feet. The leaves are stalked and simple. The petiole is 0.2 to 0.8 inches long. The 1.6 to 3.6 inches long and 0.8 to 2 inches wide leaf blade is broad to narrow ovate. The leaves are hairy ony on the leaf veins on the leaf .The leaf margin is toothed or serrated. The thread-like stipules are hairy, and 0.2 to 0.5 inches.

The flowers are at 1.2 to 2.8 inches long flower stems singly in the leaf axils. The fivefold and hermaphrodite flowers measure 2.4 to 4 inches in diameter, also larger at some varietes. Filled varieties are also existing. The exterior calyx has six to nine threadlike lobes. The five petals are fused bell about 0.6 to 1 inches long and have stellated hairs, the calyx lobes are about 0.2 to 0.6 inches long. The five funnel standing together, obovate petals can have a variety of colors. The petals are fused with the base of the androgynophor. In the subfamily Malvoideae the stamens of many stames into a tube surrounding the pistil are grown together, the so-called androgynophor, it usually has the length of 1.6 to 2.4 inches. Five carpels are fused to an ovary. There are five style branches avaiable with heady scars. They can bloom round all year.

The capsule fruits are five-shelved, egg-shaped and about 1 inch long.

Chinese Hibiscus in the garden of the former burgomaster and founder

of the town Lucianópolis in August 2007.

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Created by Joachim Jaeck on December 1st, 2009