Adjacent Words

hibiscus definitions

	Tweet

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: any plant of the genus Hibiscus

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, marshmallow Date: 1706 any of a large genus (Hibiscus) of herbs, shrubs, or small trees of the mallow family with large showy flowers and usually dentate leaves

Britannica Concise

Any of about 250 species of shrubs, trees, and herbaceous plants that make up the genus Hibiscus, in the mallow family, native to warm temperate and tropical regions. Several are cultivated as ornamentals for their showy flowers. The tropical Chinese hibiscus, or China rose (H. rosa-sinensis), has large, somewhat bell-shaped reddish blossoms. The E. African hibiscus (H. schizopetalus), a drooping shrub, is often grown in hanging baskets indoors. Other members of the genus include okra, rose of Sharon, and many flowering plants known by the common name mallow.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. any tree or shrub of the genus Hibiscus, cultivated for its large bright-coloured flowers. Also called rose-mallow. Etymology: L f. Gk hibiskos marsh mallow

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Mahoe Ma"hoe, n. (Bot.) A name given to several malvaceous trees (species of Hibiscus, Ochroma, etc.), and to their strong fibrous inner bark, which is used for strings and cordage.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Hibiscus Hi*bis"cus, n. [L., marsh mallow; cf. Gr. ?.] (Bot.) A genus of plants (herbs, shrubs, or trees), some species of which have large, showy flowers. Some species are cultivated in India for their fiber, which is used as a substitute for hemp. See Althea, Hollyhock, and Manoe.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(hibiscus) A hibiscus is a tropical bush that has large, brightly-coloured bell-shaped flowers. N-VAR