hibiscus

noun

hi·​bis·​cus hī-ˈbi-skəs 

hə-

: any of a large genus (Hibiscus) of herbs, shrubs, or small trees of the mallow family with large showy flowers and usually dentate leaves

Did you know?

There are about 250 species of shrubs, trees, and herbaceous plants in the genus Hibiscus, which belongs to the mallow family. They are native to warm temperate and tropical regions. Several are cultivated as ornamentals for their showy flowers. The tropical Chinese or Hawaiian hibiscus, which is also called China rose, has large, somewhat bell-shaped reddish blossoms. The East African hibiscus, a drooping shrub, is often grown in hanging baskets indoors.

Examples of hibiscus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With estuaries full of reptiles, swooping egrets, and thick tangles of mangroves decorated in Cajun hibiscus, this is wild Louisiana. —Jenny Adams, AFAR Media, 11 Feb. 2025

Two containers of raw beef and a pot of hibiscus tea were stored on the floor without refrigeration. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2025

This hands-on, labor-intensive approach has produced an ancestral mezcal that is sweet, medium-smoky, and with a lingering citrus, hibiscus and wet grass finish, reminiscent of mezcals made over a century ago. —Richard Carleton Hacker, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2025

However, tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is not a fan of cold weather. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, marshmallow

First Known Use

1706, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hibiscus

• meniscus
• discus
• viscous
• viscus

Kids Definition

hibiscus

noun

hi·​bis·​cus hī-ˈbis-kəs 

hə-

plural hibiscuses

: any of a large genus of herbs, shrubs, or small trees related to the mallow and having toothed leaves and large showy flowers