Did you know that the hibiscus is also known as the rosemallow? Even though it has no relation with the rose family. In some places, it’s also known as the “Rose of Althea” or “Rose of Sharon”.

The hibiscus also happens to be Malaysia’s national flower due to the fact that hibiscus are available throughout the entire country. It’s also due to the commonness of the hibiscus in our surroundings that you don’t see many Malaysian men sending their girlfriends hibiscus stalks.

With the best of intentions, sending the girl a stalk of hibiscus would seem a very “stingy” thing to do. Though you could have meant it “from the bottom of your heart”, it could be interpreted as “from the depths of your pockets”. Hence, it would be a better idea to leave hibiscus out of the game of courtships, and use these lovely hibiscus as ornaments instead.

Here’s a picture I took in Cameron Highlands, where these hibiscus grew in the lush greeneries, alongside the vast plantations of tea leaves.