Hibiscus syriacus

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For the passenger train in South Korea, see Mugunghwa-ho.

Hibiscus syriacus

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Malvales
Family:	Malvaceae
Genus:	Hibiscus
Species:	H. syriacus

Binomial name

H. syriacus
L.

Hibiscus syriacus (syn. Althaea frutex Hort. ex Mill.), the common garden Hibiscus, is called Rose of Sharon in North America, a name also applied to other plants. It is a flowering shrub in the plant family Malvaceae native to much of Asia. It is vase-shaped, reaching 2-4 m in height. It is also known as "Rose of Althea" and is widely planted in areas with hot summers for its very attractive white, pink, red, lavender, or purple edible flowers. It is very strong. If cut and put in a vase, it will survive for much longer than other plants.

Hibiscus syriacus is the national flower of South Korea. The flower appears in national emblems, and Korea is compared poetically to the flower in the South Korean national anthem.^[1] The flower's name in Korean is mugunghwa (Hangul: 무궁화; Hanja: 無窮花). The flower's symbolic significance stems from the Korean word mugung, meaning "immortality".

Hibiscus syriacus is a popular ornamental shrub with many cultivars including 'Diana', 'Lady Stanley', 'Ardens', 'Lucy', and 'Blushing Bride' (photo below).

[edit] References

^ National symbols of South Korea

[edit] External links

Hibiscus syriacus 'Blushing Bride'	Hibiscus syriacus 'Oiseau Bleu'	木槿-花苞.	木槿-花朵.
木槿-花蕊.	Hibiscus syriacus foliage	Hibiscus syriacus 'Woodbridge' seed pods	Closeup of blossom
Pollination for Bombus ruderatus