Definition: hibiscus
A hibiscus is any of numerous plants related to mallow, with large, attractive, and colorful flowers.
Fun Facts
1. Tropical Party Flowers: Hibiscus plants are famous for showing off huge, bright, and colorful flowers that instantly make any garden look like a sunny tropical island vacation!
2. A Rainbow of Petal Colors: Hibiscus flowers come in almost every color of the rainbow, including brilliant shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, bright white, and even deep purple.
3. Super-Sized Flower Faces: Some hibiscus flowers grow to be massive—often reaching the size of a dinner plate! A single blossom can span up to six or eight inches across.
4. Hummingbird and Butterfly Magnets: Because hibiscus blossoms are packed with sweet nectar and boast such bright colors, they are absolute favorites for flying visitors like butterflies, bees, and zooming hummingbirds.
5. The Edible Drink Flower: You can eat and drink hibiscus! The dried petals of a specific type called Hibiscus sabdariffa are brewed with hot water and sugar to make a tart, fruity, ruby-red tea (often called zobo or agua de Jamaica) that is enjoyed all over the world.
6. The Famous Hawaiian Symbol: The yellow hibiscus flower is the official state flower of Hawaii, where people love to tuck the bright blossoms behind their ears as festive hair decorations.
7. One-Day Wonder Blooms: Individual hibiscus flowers usually only last for a single day! They open up wide and gorgeous in the morning sun, and by the time night falls, they close up and fade away—leaving brand-new buds ready to pop open the next morning.