Hibiscus syriacus chinensis

Hibiscus syriacus chinensis
Scientific classification
:	[[Template:Taxonomy/Hibiscus]]
Species:	Template:Taxonomy/HibiscusH. syriacus
Binomial name
	Template:Taxonomy/HibiscusHibiscus syriacus; L.
Synonyms
	List Althaea frutex Mill.; Hibiscus rhombifolius Cav.; Ketmia syriaca (L.) Scop.; Ketmia syrorum Medik. nom. illeg.; ;

The Korean hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus chinensis) is one of the common flowering shrubs found in gardens, a species of Hibiscus. Common names for the same plant include Rose of Sharon^[2] (but it is not a rose), Rose mallow, Shrub-althaea,^[2] Syrian hibiscus,^[2] Syrian ketmia,^[2] and St Joseph's rod.

The part of the name "syriacus" seems to say that the origin of this plant is from Syria, but the exact origin is so far unknown. Historically it was grown in ancient China and then it became a popular plant in Korea. Today the flowers are national symbols of Korea. In Japan, the flowers are often shown at tea ceremonies for decoration.

There are many variations of flowers in gardens, because gardeners of the past were able to find different colors and shapes of flowers, and grow their seeds.

History and cultureEdit

The Presidential Standard of South Korea, with a pair of phoenixes flanking the Korean rose.

From the 8th century to today, This tree is popular as a garden tree for ordinary Japanese households.

Hibiscus syriacus has been grown as a garden shrub in Korea since time immemorial; its leaves were brewed into an herbal tea and its flowers eaten.

Hibiscus syriacus chinensis, also known as the Korean rose, is overall the national flower of the South Koreas.^[3] The flower appears in national emblems, and Korea is compared poetically to the flower in the South Korean national anthem.^[4] The flower's name in Korean is mugunghwa (Hangul: 무궁화; Hanja: 無窮花) or mokkeunhwa (Hangul: 목근화; Hanja: 木槿花). The flower's symbolic significance stems from the Korean word mugung, which means "eternity" or "inexhaustible abundance". Various state emblems of South Korea contain Hibiscus syriacus; it is generally considered by South Koreans to be a traditional symbol of the Korean people and culture.^[5]