Some extracts from Wikipedia link (for pictures/ more details, pl. click on the link): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibiscus_rosa-sinensis
*Hibiscus rosa-sinensis* Linn. (family Malvaceae<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malvaceae>), known colloquially as the *Chinese hibiscus*, is an evergreen<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evergreen>flowering shrub <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrub> native to East Asia<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Asia>. It is also known as *China rose* and *shoe flower*. It is widely grown as an ornamental plant <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornamental_plant> throughout the tropics <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropics> and subtropics. The flowers are large, generally red in the original varieties, and firm, but generally lack any scent. Numerous varieties<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variety_(botany)>, cultivars <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultivar>, and hybrids<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_(biology)>are available, with flower colors ranging from white through yellow and orange to scarlet and shades of pink, with both single and double sets of petals. *Hibiscus rosa-sinensis* is one of many plant genera with a genetic characteristic known as polyploidy <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyploidy>, in which the number of chromosomes is far greater than the two ("x" and "y") we commonly think of with human genetics. Polyploidy is a condition where the genetic characteristics of the offspring may be quite different from the parent, or indeed any ancestor, essentially allowing possibly random expression of all (or any) of the characteristics of all the generations that have gone before. Because of this characteristic, *H. rosa-sinensis*has become popular with hobbyists who cross and recross varieties, creating new named varieties and holding competitions to exhibit and judge the many resulting new seedlings and often strikingly unique flowers. Often the progeny of these crosses are sterile, but some are fertile, further increasing the complexity of variability and the possibility of a virtually unlimited number of eventual *Hibiscus rosa-sinensis* varieties. This further attracts the hobbyists, who have created local and international associations, societies, publications, and manuals to further this hobby, which is practiced with these tropical plants worldwide, including indoors in cold climates. 2009/5/5 sibdas ghosh <[email protected]> > One of our holy flower, China rose or Jaba (Beng), > The var. has variegated almost white leaves, but the flowers are with > normal anthocyanin pigment- Nov. 2008 > > > > -- With regards, J.M.Garg "We often ignore the beauty around us" Creating Awareness about Indian Flora & Fauna: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Jmgarg1 For learning about our trees & plants, please visit/ join Google e-group (Indiantreepix) http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "indiantreepix" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
