Hibiscus Species and Cultivars

Hibiscus is a national symbol or flower of South Korea and Malaysia. When I was young we used the gumamela in the Philippines (local name for hibiscus) as part of a bubble-making pastime. The flowers and leaves are crushed until the sticky juices come out. Hollow papaya stalks are then dipped into this and used as straws for blowing bubbles. In some other countries, Hibiscus were used as