When we think of the Hibiscus flower, we are immediately reminded of the delightful women of the south pacific islands, particularly Hawaii, who wear a hibiscus in their hair behind their ears. However, in reality, I stumbled upon something about the tradition of wearing flowers which I think was rather interesting. It is said that when a woman wears a hibiscus flower behind her left ear, she is looking for a lover, when she wears it behind her right ear, she already has a lover and when she wears two flowers, one behind each ear it means she already has a lover but would like to take on another as well!
Also known as the ‘queen of tropical flowers’, the hibiscus is a native of Asia and pacific Islands. It is the national flower of Malaysia and the Conch republic, and the state flower of Hawaii. It has 200-300 different varieties. This very prolific flower comes in different colors like red, yellow, pink, blue, white and then some more. It varies in size though the most popular varieties are rather large and exotic, though there are certain dwarf varieties as well.
The Hibiscus flower is considered one of the most beautiful flowers in the world, and one look at even a digital picture of a hibiscus will tell you why. It has five brightly colored petals, which are extremely smooth and shiny, and a seed stack which stands out in the center. A simple no fuss flower which thrives well in moist tropical conditions, though there have been incidents of it surviving in frozen conditions too! Ideally it requires a slightly acidic soil and sunlight for at least 6 hours. A perennial flower, the tropical varieties of the Hibiscus flower can survive for up to 50 years, whereas the outdoor hybrid species live for about 20 years.
Ancient Egyptians discovered a lot of beneficial uses of this flower, they believed that a paste made out of the wild Hibiscus flower that could cure stomach and liver ailments. Even today there are shampoos that have Hibiscus extracts because it is believed to prevent dandruff. It is also said that Hibiscus flower extracts can reduce blood pressure and increase circulation. The Hibiscus tea, which was invented by the Chinese, is wildly popular in America. It too falls under the category of herbal trees and has a lot of health benefits.
The hibiscus is a hardy flower which thrives without much attention and is therefore said to symbolize peace and bravery. It is also known as the ‘shoe flower’ probably because its delicate, smooth petals are particularly good for polishing shoes! The Hibiscus also has an important place in popular culture, what with Hibiscus flower shaped jewelry and Hibiscus flower tattoos, being so popular. Hibiscus bouquets are ordered very often off online websites as is potpourri made out of dried Hibiscus flowers. It’s a perfect perennial to plant in a garden because in suitable conditions it continues to grow regularly for 20 years.
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