HIBISCUS,
Family: Malvaceae
Hibiscus rosa sinensis
This is one of the
most prevalent flowers of the tropics.
Many are red, but there are 5,000
hybrids. China is thought to be the
hibiscus’s native country. In the
South Seas, girls wear them in their
hair, as when picked, they stay fresh all
day. Picked early in the day and placed
in a refrigerator, they stay open all
night.
Photos by Peter Duce
If
you need to polish your shoes, the blossoms make
a fine polish. The red blossoms make a good tea,
especially if flavoured with lemon grass.
