Map Endemic achyranthes* ‘äma‘u älula* ‘äwikiwiki bonamia* Clay's Hibiscus* cyperus cyperus sedge eugenia häpu‘u kauila* ko‘oloa‘ula* koa kulu‘ï kupukupu lama loulu palm ma‘o mämaki nänü* ‘ohai (shrub) * ‘ohai (tree) * ‘öhia lehua white hibiscus   Indigenous alahe‘e hinahina ‘ilie‘e ‘ilima kou laua‘e fern naio palapalai pili grass pöhinahina ‘uki‘uki ‘ülei variegated hau   Polynesian Introduced coconut kalo kukui red ginger red ti leaf ti leaf sugar cane ulu   Introduced cotton cup of gold eucalyptus heliconia hibiscus manila palm monstera octopus tree pink tecoma plumbago plumeria tangerine wiliwili     *endangered species

Common Names Red Hibiscus, Chinese Rose Hawaiian Name Aloalo Scientific Name Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Pictures Kaiona   Whole Plant Leaves Flowers Location On Campus  The Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (red hibiscus) is located on the back side of the Kaiona building room 52. Natural Habitat  The hibiscus is found in most of the Hawaiian islands such as O‘ahu, Maui, Big Island, Kaua'i, and Moloka'i. It will be able to survive in any type of environment (dry or wet). This plant can also grow on the beach if the soil is rich and well watered with good drainage. It blooms best in the sun. Cultural Information  This plant is introduced to Hawai'i. It is native to Asia (southern China). It is the state flower of Hawai'i and the national flower of Malaysia. Chinese pickle and eat the flowers when they are crushed the flowers are turned into black die. India uses this dye for blacking shoes. Chinese women uses the dye for coloring hair and eyebrows. The dye is used to color liquors and dye paper a bluish-purple tint. Plant Description Stem: Woody stem Numerous stems Strong and hard Shrub or tree Leaves: Evergreen color Pinnate venation Serrate margin Basic leaf structure is petiolate 7.5 cm across 7.5 cm long Simple leaf Flowers: Five petals Grows upright Red bell shaped 10 cm-17 cm in diameter Fruit: Reddish brown in color Adult- pale brown capsules Dry Seeds: Numerous seeds Thin red pulp surround seeds Red pulp used for coloring food Life Cycle/ Reproduction: Lives for a long period of time Estimated life span of 6-10 years Propagation/ Cultivation: Propagated by stem and tip cuttings May be propagated by seeds Seeds will germinate more readily if seed coat is nicked with nail file Grafting or rootstocks Interesting Facts: In China the plant is called Fu Sang In India it's called sapatthu-mal meaning shoe-flower (petals used to shine shoes) From the Mallow family Web Site Links  Plant of the Week: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Tropical Hibiscus Malvaceae This website shows a picture and some cultural information.  Hibiscus rosa sinensis This website shows one picture and information on the physical elements of the plant   References Clay, Horaces and James C. Hubbard. The Hawaii Garden; Tropical Shrubs. Hawaii: The University Press of Hawaii, 1977. Culliney, John L. and Bruce P. Koebole. A native Hawaiian Garden. China: University of Hawaii Press, 1999. Green, Peter S., and Mary Grierson. A Hawaiian Florilegium. Lawai: National Tropical Botanical Garden, 1996. Merlin, Mark. Hawaiian Forest Plants. Honolulu: Pacific Guide books, 1995. Return to Top

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