# Hibiscus Hibiscus is known for its big, colorful flowers that look like they belong in a tropical paradise! They are often found in warm areas. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Tropical and subtropical regions ![Hibiscus](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424288/objects/4938.jpg) ## Appearance The Hibiscus has large, showy, trumpet-shaped flowers that burst with vibrant colors like red, pink, yellow, and white. A prominent central column of stamens often extends from the flower, making it visually striking. Its leaves are typically glossy green. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Malvales - **Family:** Malvaceae - **Genus:** Hibiscus ## Interesting facts - Some hibiscus flowers are only open for a single day before new ones bloom! - The Hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia and South Korea! - The famous red 'Jamaica' drink is made from a special type of hibiscus! - You can find hibiscus used in everything from food coloring to hair products! ## Special abilities - **Pollinator Beacon:** Large, bright, trumpet-shaped flowers guide insects and birds directly to its nectar, helping it reproduce. - **Sun Shield:** Some hibiscus leaves are leathery, helping reduce water loss and thrive in hot, sunny places. - **Quick Regrowth:** Many varieties can quickly bounce back after damage, ensuring continued growth and blooming. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 100-300 cm - **Spread:** 100-250 cm - **Flower Size:** 5-20 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer, Fall - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen, aiding reproduction. - **Pollinates:** [Monarch Butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — Feeds on nectar, transferring pollen between flowers. - **Depends on:** Hibiscus Mite (*Eriophyes hibisci*) — Tiny mites that feed on hibiscus leaves. ## 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. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [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. - [Everblooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/everblooming): Everblooming plants produce flowers continuously or in repeated flushes over a long period. - [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. ## 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? 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? 100-300 cm ### How wide does Hibiscus spread? 100-250 cm ### How big are the flowers on Hibiscus? 5-20 cm ### When does Hibiscus bloom? Summer, Fall ### Is Hibiscus edible? Yes ### Is Hibiscus toxic? None ### What is Hibiscus's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Gärten der Welt](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gardens-of-the-world-berlin) — Berlin, DE · Park - [Serra Mesa Community Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/serra-mesa-community-park) — California, US · Park - [Iwaki Flower Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/iwaki-flower-center) — Fukushima, JP · Park - [Chollipo Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chollipo-arboretum) — KR · Park - [Sano Botanical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sano-botanical-park) — Kyushu, JP · Park - [Okinawa Prefectural Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/okinawa-prefectural-forest) — Okinawa, JP · Park [View all places to see Hibiscus](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/hibiscus) ## 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: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hibiscus)