The Hibiscus is native to Asia and Pacific islands, and is the national flower of Malaysia and of the Conch Republic.
It is called the Queen of Tropical Flowers.
It is also known as the Shoe Flower because its petals are used to shine shoes.
In islands of the Pacific Ocean, the red hibiscus is worn by women behind the ear.
If worn behind the left ear, she is desirous of a lover.
If behind the right ear she is already spoken for.
But if she wears two flowers, one behind each ear, she has a lover but would like another.
The striking and beautiful yellow hibiscus (hibiscus brackenridgei), known as the pua aloalo in the Hawaiian language, is Hawaii's flower.
It is believed that there were originally only five species of hibiscus native to Hawaii.
Later other varieties were imported and growers began to develop hybrids to produce the kaleidoscope of colors and sizes found today.
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