There is no single flower as widely associated with the Hawaiian Islands as the Hibiscus. This exotic blossom is not only the official State Flower of Hawaii (the Pua Aloalo, or Hibiscus brackenridgei), it is also recognized as a symbol of the tropics and of island culture, worldwide. Hibiscus, also referred to as Rosemallow, is a large genus of over 200 species of flowering plants from the family, Malvacceae. It includes both annual and perennial herbaceous plants, woody shrubs and small trees, native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions. Seven species of hibiscus are regarded as native Hawaiian Hibiscus. Hibiscus flowers are large and trumpet-shaped with five petals, with colors ranging from white, yellow, red to purple. They are noted for their prominent pistil and stamens, sprouting from the center of the blossoms. Hibiscus plants are commonly found throughout Hawaii, freely growing in front lawns and back yards, with well-manicured versions often found in parks, resort grounds and golf courses. Although Hawaii's state flower is a yellow hibiscus, the color red is most often representative of the flower, whether placed behind a hula dancer's ear, depicted on-screen or in print, or used as a design in Hawaiian Fabric, aloha shirts and mu'u mu'us or dresses. |