National Flower

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Today Flora and Fauna segment will cover about our national flower, Hibiscus. Maybe most of us have known it, but how many of us actually knew about it? Its scientific names, sub-species and plus, not only Malaysia adopt its as National Flower.

Are you ready to see it? Let’s go check it out.


HIBISCUS

The Hibiscus or ‘Bunga Raya’ in Malay is our National Flower. But please takes notice because Hibiscus has many colors and our national flower is the Red Hibiscus. Still remember the controversial Malay Keris which usually well known as Malaysia symbol? Many of Malaysians objects the idea because its looks like it’s only make the Malaysia more MALAY. But never fear my friends, How many of us actually knew or simply forgot or doesn’t even want to know that our National Flower sub-species is actually known as “The Chinese Hibiscus”.

The red hibiscus scientific name is Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and known colonially as Chinese Hibiscus, China rose and shoe flower. In Indonesia it is called as Kembang Sepatu. It is native in East Asia.

It was introduced in Malaysia in 12th century and has been nominated as National Flower in 1958 by Ministry of Agriculture with few other flowers such as ylang ylang, jasmine, lotus, rose and Bunga Tanjung. In 1960, it is declared by government of Malaysia that Hibiscus is our national flower.

The reason is, Hibiscus known as ‘Bunga Raya’ which literally means ‘Big Flower’. The red of the petals symbolizes the courage, life, and rapid growth of the Malaysian, and the five petals represent the five Rukun Negara of Malaysia.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is considered to have a number of medical uses in Chinese herbology.


OTHER NATIONAL SYMBOL

Other than Malaysia, Hibiscus is also a national flower of South Korea and known as 'mugunghwa'.

Hibiscus syriacus is the national flower of South Korea. The flower appears in national emblems, and Korea is compared poetically to the flower in the South Korean national anthem. The flower's symbolic significance stems from the Korean word mugung, meaning "immortality". Hibiscus syriacus is a widely cultivated ornamental shrub in the genus Hibiscus.

Common names include Rose of Sharon (especially in North America), Shrub Althea, and Rose of Althea.