All about Flowers: Shoe Flowers

The attractive five-petalled shoe flower is now not seen in many gardens but it is a flower that was once very popular.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, known colloquially as rose mallow, Chinese hibiscus, China rose and shoe flower, is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae, native to East Asia.

It is a bushy, evergreen shrub or small tree growing 2.5-5 m (8-16 ft) tall and 1.5-3 m (5-10 ft) wide, with glossy leaves and solitary, brilliant red flowers in summer and autumn. The five-petalled flowers are 10 cm (4 in) in diameter, with prominent orange-tipped red anthers.

Cultivation

It is widely grown as an ornamental plant throughout the tropics and subtropics. As it does not tolerate temperatures below 10°C (50°F), in temperate regions it is best grown under glass. However, plants in containers may be placed outside during the summer months.

Ecology

Numerous varieties, cultivars and hybrids are available, with flower colours ranging from white through yellow and orange to scarlet and shades of pink, with both single and double sets of petals. The cultivar 'Cooperi' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Despite its size and red hues attractive to nectar-feeding birds, it is not visited regularly by hummingbirds when grown in the Neotropics. Generalists, like the Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Amazilia lactea, or long-billed species, like the Stripe-breasted Starthroat, Heliomaster squamosus, are occasionally seen to visit it. However, in the subtropical and temperate Americas, hummingbirds are attracted to it on a regular basis.

National symbol

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is the national flower of Malaysia, called Bunga Raya in Malay. Introduced into the Malay Peninsula in the 12th century, it was nominated as the national flower in the year 1958 by the Ministry of Agriculture amongst a few other flowers, namely ylang ylang, jasmine, lotus, rose, magnolia and bunga tanjung. On July 28 1960, it was declared by the government of Malaysia that the hibiscus would be the national flower. The word bunga in Malay means "flower", whilst raya in Malay means "big" or "grand". The hibiscus is literally known as the "big flower" in Malay. The red of the petals symbolises the courage, life and rapid growth of the Malaysian, and the five petals represent the five Rukun Negara of Malaysia. The flower can be found imprinted on the notes and coins of the Malaysian ringgit.

-Internet