Flowers of Bali

Balinese name: Pucuk
Indonesian name: Kembang Sepatu
Latin name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.
Family: Malvaceae

The Indonesian name for the Hibiscus means "shoe flower". This apparently comes from the Potuguese, who used the juice of the petals to blacken shoes. There are double and single varieties. The Hibiscus is to be found everywhere in Bali - in hotel gardens, along country roads, in gardens, and behind men's ears. It is commonly found in offerings and decorating tables, religious objects, and stone carvings. The roots, leaves, and flowers are sometimes used as medicine.

Description
This plant has been so highly bred and selected that there are numerous varieties and it is difficult to give a general description to fit them all. Many are single flowers but there are double varieties which look like roses.

Flowers
Red, white, or mixed; also, less commonly, yellow. Most varieties are characterized by a large five-petaled flower. The petals are typically pear-shaped, about 8 by 5 cm, prominently veined and somewhat wrinkled. The typical flower is about 13 cm across when fully opened. Petals overlap slightly at the base where they are frequently stained a contrasting color. Two concentric rings of triangular sepals are found beneath the petals. The pistil protrudes conspicuously from the flower, and ends in a five-branched stigma. The stamens grow as small appendages at the end of the pistil. The flower has no odor.

Flowering
Year-round