Hibiscus
Hibiscus (of the Greek
ἱϐίσκος
hibískos , meaning marsh mallow) is a kind of plants with annual or long-lived flowers which comprises more: 30000 varieties. Hibiscus belongs to the family of the Malvaceae.
They are plants known since highest antiquity: they were cultivated in Egypt and Southeast Asia, for their decorative character, but also for their edible fruits. Imported into Europe by the Spanish Moors at the 12th century, certain species were introduced in America, at the 17th century, by the slaves.
Description
The shrub can reach 5 meters height and as much width.
The Feuille S are alternate S, simple, oval or lancéolé be, on board toothed or corrugated.
The Fleur S, generally with central symmetry (Actinomorphic S) are insulated or grouped in Inflorescence S.
The chalice has five Sépale S free; the Corolla five Petal S free or slightly welded at the base.
The five cheesecloth S are welded between them forming a long tube. The Pistil rather often has five ovary S and a length style passing inside the tube of cheesecloths. The mark opens only when cheesecloths are faded, allowing a cross fecundation.
The fruits are capsules which open with maturity to release often hairy seeds.
The flowers, monochromic or two-tone, are twisted before the complete opening. They can appear from March to October if the plant is under the requirements however, some Cultivar S resulting from the selections of horticulturists can flower all the year. It is normal that the flower of H. rosa sinensis is closed again and fall at the end of approximately 12 midnight.
Hibiscus syriacus is the national flower of the South Korea. The flower, Fleur d' Éternité , (Korean mugunghwa), is the flower which illustrates the voluntary and modest spirit of the Korean people. The Koreans snuffed the althéa like a celestial flower since the past. The kingdom Silla (name carried by Korea at the 1st century before J. - C.) was also called the Mugunghwa country. Hibiscus, also the symbol of surfing
Culture
In general, the hibiscus like heat because of their subtropical origins (20 °C with 32 °C seem to be the ideal). Two varieties can be cultivated in Europe, the hibiscus Rosa siniensis and the hibiscus Syriacus .It is necessary to avoid the currents of cold air and never to expose them to temperatures lower than 5°C, by knowing that as of 10°C, they start to lose their sheets and make more flower while waiting for the return of heat.
However, Hibiscus syriacus survives and multiplies without problem in a climate moderated like that of the France, with the proviso of offering a place sunny and sheltered to him winds. It with the advantage of keeping its sheets permanently (under good conditions of temperature) and of producing flowers all the summer, sometimes even in autumn, in the event of favorable climate. Not enough of sun can make him lose its sheets but it sets out again in spring.
Hibiscus Rosa siniensis , also called " pink of Chine" , " flower of beautiful the dames" or " ketmie" and rather a plant of interior in Europe which does not tolerate the temperatures below 5°C.
Hibiscus, is sensitive to the plant louses, the spiders and the cochineal.
Hibiscus likes water, it should be sprinkled the every day if the temperature exceeds the 28°C, but one should not let the pot soak in a saucer filled with water.
Use
The flower of the hibiscus is developed at food and medicinal ends.
- Hibiscus sabdariffa (Sorrel of Guinea) originating in West Africa produces starts-up and sheets eaten believed or cooked like légumes.
Its dried red flowers then infused are used for sauces and jams or the preparation of the Bissap; infusion and syrup producing a drink red, drunk fraiche and very sweetened (sometimes prepared with mint) in West Africa, of which with the Senegal and in Mauritania where one of its popular name in vogue became " Coc' Afrique" (" Seille" in Guinea, and " roselle" in Jamaica). It is a drink rich in Ascorbic acid (from where his acidulous taste) and one lends diuretic virtues to him, sedative and hypotensives, even laxative.
En East Africa and the Middle-East, this drink is called Carcadet (or karkadé, karkadeh; of Arabic karkandji). Very appraisal in Egypt including for medicinal virtues. This drink is drunk there cold or hot.
Le carcadet is on sale in shops of herb trade or on the electronic market.
- The flowers of the Hibiscus syriacus are edible and have emollient properties (= which slackens, softens fabrics). They were formerly used in traditional medicine to calm the Toux and to cure the Angine S.
- The fruit of the species Hibiscus esculentus , moved since the kind Abelmoschus ( Abelmoschus esculentus ), called Gombo, enters, like vegetable, in the composition of many African dishes, Asian, of Central America and South America.
Multiplication
That depends much on the variety:-
the Hibiscus syriacus (or althéa) reproduces very easily by sowing without human intervention. The Bouture is difficult enough for this species.
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the flowers of the Rosa Sinensis reproduce with difficulty, because fecundation depends on precise conditions (temperature, luminosity, hygroscopy) and the flowers have one short duration of life. Moreover, the natural Pollinisation seems to depend on tropical insects.
Principal species
Photograph gallery
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