Hibiscus syriacus

Hibiscus syriacus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Hibiscus
Species:
H. syriacus
Binomial name
Hibiscus syriacus
Synonyms
List
    • Althaea frutex Mill.
    • Hibiscus acerifolius Salisb.
    • Hibiscus rhombifolius Cav.
    • Ketmia syriaca (L.) Scop.
    • Ketmia syrorum Medik. nom. illeg.

Hibiscus syriacus is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is native to areas of east Asia, but widely introduced elsewhere, including much of Europe and North America. It was given the epithet syriacus because it had been collected from gardens in Syria. Common names include the rose of Sharon (especially in North America), Syrian ketmia, shrub althea (or simply althea), Korean Hibiscus and rose mallow (in the United Kingdom). It is the national flower of South Korea and is mentioned in the South Korean national anthem.