# Hibiscus rosa-sinensis The hibiscus is a large flower with big, bright petals that can be red, yellow, or pink. It grows in warm places and is very pretty! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Tropical and subtropical regions - **Also known as:** Tropical Hibiscus ![Hibiscus rosa-sinensis](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426654/objects/4946.jpg) ## Appearance The Hibiscus rosa-sinensis has large, showy, trumpet-shaped flowers, typically brilliant red, but also found in pink, orange, yellow, or white. Its petals often overlap, creating a full appearance, with a prominent central stamen column that extends gracefully from the flower's heart. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Malvales - **Family:** Malvaceae - **Genus:** Hibiscus ## Interesting facts - Ancient Polynesians wore its blossoms to signal their relationship status to others. - Its vibrant petals can be used as a natural, temporary dye for fabrics and hair! - People in some places rub its flowers on their shoes for an instant, natural shine. - The beautiful hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia, where it’s called Bunga Raya. ## Special abilities - **Pollen Presenter:** Its prominent central column holds pollen and nectar in a precise position, ensuring efficient transfer onto visiting pollinators. - **Continuous Bloomer:** In ideal conditions, it produces a steady stream of new flowers, ensuring ongoing opportunities for reproduction and seed dispersal. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 150-300 cm - **Spread:** 150-300 cm - **Flower Size:** 10-18 cm - **Bloom Season:** Year-round in tropical areas; summer to fall elsewhere - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar and pollen - **Pollinates:** [Ruby-throated Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ruby-throated-hummingbird) (*Archilochus colubris*) — sips nectar from flowers - **Eaten by:** Lime Swallowtail (*Papilio demoleus*) — larvae feed on leaves - **Parasitizes:** Hemispherical scale (*Saissetia coffeae*) — feeds on plant sap ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Tube Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tube-flower): A tube flower has petals fused together at the base, forming a distinct tubular structure that typically holds nectar deep within. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. ## Collections - [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Hibiscus rosa-sinensis? Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Hibiscus rosa-sinensis? 150-300 cm ### How wide does Hibiscus rosa-sinensis spread? 150-300 cm ### How big are the flowers on Hibiscus rosa-sinensis? 10-18 cm ### When does Hibiscus rosa-sinensis bloom? Year-round in tropical areas; summer to fall elsewhere ### Is Hibiscus rosa-sinensis edible? Yes ### Is Hibiscus rosa-sinensis toxic? None ### What is Hibiscus rosa-sinensis's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Kurpark Bad Pyrmont](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kurpark-bad-pyrmont) — Niedersachsen, DE · Park - [Ocean Expo Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ocean-expo-park) — Okinawa, JP · Park - [Hanbat Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hanbat-arboretum) — KR · Park - [Okinawa Comprehensive Athletic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/okinawa-comprehensive-athletic-park) — Okinawa, JP · Park [View all places to see Hibiscus rosa-sinensis](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/hibiscus-rosa-sinensis) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Hibiscus rosa-sinensis: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hibiscus-rosa-sinensis)