Hibiscus[2][3] is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. The genus is quite large, comprising several hundred species that are native to warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. Member species are renowned for their large, showy flowers and those species are commonly known simply as "hibiscus", or less widely known as rose mallow.
A tea made from the flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa is known by many names around the world and is served both hot and cold. The beverage is known for its red colour, tart flavour, and vitamin C content.
Description
The leaves are alternate, ovate to lanceolate [citation needed], often with a toothed or lobed margin (dentate). The flowers are large, conspicuous [citation needed], trumpet-shaped, with five or more petals, colour from white to pink, red, blue, orange, peach,[7] yellow or purple,[8] and from 4–18 cm broad.
Pollen grainHibiscus flower
Flower colour in certain species, such as H. mutabilis and H. tiliaceus, changes with age.[9] The fruit is a dry five-lobed capsule, containing several seeds in each lobe, which are released when the capsule dehisces (splits open) at maturity. It is of red and white colours. It is an example of complete flowers.
Stages in the life-cycle of a flowerHibiscus blooming time lapse
The yellow hibiscus is the state flower of Hawaii, although the most commonly seen hibiscus in the state is Hibiscus × rosa-sinensis.
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"[10]). In tropical and subtropical areas, the Chinese hibiscus (H. × rosa-sinensis), with its many showy hybrids, is the most popular hibiscus.
Many species are grown for their showy flowers or used as landscape shrubs, and are used to attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.[15]
Hibiscus is a very hardy, versatile plant and in tropical conditions it can enhance the beauty of any garden[citation needed]. Being versatile it [which?] adapts itself easily to balcony gardens in crammed urban spaces and can be easily grown in pots as a creeper or even in hanging pots. It [which?] is a perennial and flowers throughout the year. As it comes in a variety of colors, it's a plant which can add vibrancy to any garden.
The only infestation that gardeners need to be vigilant about is mealybugs.[citation needed] Mealybug infestations are easy to spot as they are clearly visible as a distinct white cottony infestation on buds, leaves or even stems.
Paper
One species of Hibiscus, known as kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), is extensively used in paper-making.[citation needed]
Rope and construction
The inner bark of the sea hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus), also called 'hau', is used in Polynesia for making rope, and the wood for making canoe floats.[citation needed] The ropes on the missionary ship Messenger of Peace were made of fibres from hibiscus trees.[16]
The tea made of the calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa is known by many names in many countries around the world and is served both hot and cold. The beverage is well known for its red colour, tartness and unique flavour. Additionally, it is highly nutritious because of its vitamin C content.
It is known as bissap in West Africa, "Gul e Khatmi" in Urdu & Persian, agua de jamaica in Mexico and Central America (the flower being flor de jamaica) and Orhul in India. Some refer to it as roselle, a common name for the hibiscus flower. In Jamaica, Trinidad and many other islands in the Caribbean, the drink is known as sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa; not to be confused with Rumex acetosa, a species sharing the common name sorrel). In Ghana, the drink is known as soobolo in one of the local languages.
In Cambodia, a cold beverage can be prepared by first steeping the petals in hot water until the colors are leached from the petals, then adding lime juice (which turns the beverage from dark brown/red to a bright red), sweeteners (sugar/honey) and finally cold water/ice cubes.
In Egypt and Sudan, hibiscus tea is known as karkadé (كركديه), and is served as both a hot and a cold drink.
Hibiscus (also known in Sri Lanka as shoe flower, සපත්තු මල, වද මල in Sinhalese) is an ingredient with a rich heritage of refreshing Lankans. Fresh juices, ice teas and syrups made of the Hibiscus flower are famous refreshments among Sri Lankans.
Food
Dried hibiscus is edible [citation needed], and it is often a delicacy in Mexico. It can also be candied and used as a garnish, usually for desserts.[17] Contrary to popular assumptions that the flowers or petals are what is being eaten, it is the calyces.[18]
The roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is used as a vegetable. The species Hibiscus suratensis Linn synonymous with Hibiscus aculeatus G. Don is noted in Visayas in the Philippines as being a souring ingredient for almost all local vegetables and menus. Known as labog in the Visayan area (or labuag/sapinit in Tagalog), the species is an ingredient in cooking native chicken soup.
While the mechanism is not well understood, previous animal studies have demonstrated both an inhibitory effect of H. sabdariffa on muscle tone and the anti-fertility effects of H. × rosa-sinensis, respectively.[8][22] The extract of H. sabdariffa has been shown to stimulate contraction of the rat bladder and uterus;[8] the H. × rosa-sinensis extract has exhibited contraceptive effects in the form of estrogen activity in rats.[22] These findings have not been observed in humans. The H. × rosa-sinensis is also thought to have emmenagogue effects which can stimulate menstruation and, in some women, cause an abortion.[23][24][25] Due to the documented adverse effects in animal studies and the reported pharmacological properties, the H. sabdariffa and H. × rosa-sinensis are not recommended for use during pregnancy.[25]
Drug interactions
It is postulated that H. sabdariffa interacts with diclofenac, chloroquine and acetaminophen by altering the pharmacokinetics. In healthy human volunteers, the H. sabdariffa extract was found to reduce the excretion of diclofenac upon co-administration.[26] Additionally, co-administration of Karkade (H. sabdariffa), a common Sudanese beverage, was found to reduce chloroquine bioavailability.[27] However, no statistically significant changes were observed in the pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen when administered with the Zobo (H. sabdariffa) drink.[28] Further studies are needed to demonstrate clinical significance.
Symbolism and culture
The red hibiscus[which?] is the flower of the HindugoddessKali, and appears frequently in depictions of her in the art of Bengal, India, often with the goddess and the flower merging in form. The hibiscus is used as an offering to Kali and the god Ganesha in Hindu worship.[29][30]
In the Philippines, the gumamela (the local name for hibiscus) is used by children as part of a bubble-making pastime. The flowers and leaves are crushed until the sticky juices come out. Hollow papaya stalks are then dipped into this and used as straws for blowing bubbles. Together with soap, hibiscus juices produce more bubbles. It is also called "Tarukanga" in Waray, particularly in Eastern Samar province.
The hibiscus flower is traditionally worn by Pacific island women, and is a known shared custom that if the flower is worn behind the left ear, the woman is married or has a boyfriend. If the flower is worn on the right, she is single or openly available for a relationship.[citation needed] The pink hibiscus flower has its origins in Asia and the Pacific Islands, where it has served as a symbol of beauty, femininity, and young love. It is commonly associated with the Hawaiian culture and the Aloha spirit, which celebrates love, happiness, and peace. [31]
A stylized image of the hibiscus flower was used as a logo of Air Polynésie.
The bark of the hibiscus contains strong bast fibres that can be obtained by letting the stripped bark set in the sea to let the organic material rot away.[citation needed]
A coastal area in Auckland, New Zealand is known as the Hibiscus Coast, named after the non-native flower due to its associations with beach and holiday atmospheres.
^
Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, ἰβίσκος
^Brickell, Christopher, ed. (2008). The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 534. ISBN9781405332965.
^ abcFouda, A.M.; Daba, M.Y.; Dahab, G.M. (2007). "Inhibitory effects of aqueous extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa on contractility of the rat bladder and uterus". Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 85 (10): 1020–31. doi:10.1139/y07-093. PMID18066103.
^Haji Faraji, M.; Haji Tarkhani, A.H (1999). "The effect of sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa) on essential hypertension". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 65 (3): 231–236. doi:10.1016/S0378-8741(98)00157-3. PMID10404421.
^de Boer, H.J.; Cotingting, C. (2014). "Medicinal plants for women's healthcare in Southeast Asia: a meta-analysis of their traditional use, chemical constituents, and pharmacology". J Ethnopharmacol. 151 (2): 747–767. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.030. PMID24269772.
^Ali, B.H.; Al Wabel, N.; Blunden, G. (2005). "Phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological aspects of Hibiscus sabdariffa L.: a review". Phytother Res. 19 (5): 369–375. doi:10.1002/ptr.1628. PMID16106391. S2CID26797889.
^Mahmoud, B.M.; Ali, H.M.; Homeida, M.M.; Bennett, J.L. (1994). "Significant reduction in chloroquine bioavailability following coadministration with the Sudanese beverages Aradaib, Karkadi and Lemon". Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 33 (5): 1005–9. doi:10.1093/jac/33.5.1005. PMID8089046.
^Kolawole, J.A.; Maduenyi, A. (2004). "Effect of Zobo drink (Hibiscus sabdariffa water extract) on the pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen in human volunteers". Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 29 (1): 25–29. doi:10.1007/BF03190570. PMID15151167. S2CID10501505.
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