hibiscus

noun hi·bis·cus \ hī-ˈbi-skəs , hə- \

|Updated on: 5 Aug 2018

Definition of hibiscus

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

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Recent Examples of hibiscus from the Web

Iguana-proof plants: Iguanas are herbivores and love to munch on bougainvillea, hibiscus, orchids, mangoes and bananas, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension.

— doreen christensen, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Expert tips on how to control iguanas," 21 June 2018
The Lil’ Pop Shop in both West Philly (265 S. 44th St.) and Rittenhouse (229. S. 20th St.) has mastered the new-age Popsicle with fresh-fruit infusions of whole raspberries and lime, or coconut milk with hibiscus.

— craig laban, Philly.com, "The best icy desserts in Philadelphia | Craig LaBan," 3 July 2018
During my visit, Tuffy’s had three ciders available: the dry apple namesake cider; a sour lemongrass ginger cider called Afternoon Delight, and a farmhouse cider with hibiscus, cherry and apple called Jamaica Dupe Noir.

— lauren delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "First sip at Sanford cidery Tuffy's Bottle Shop and Lounge," 10 May 2018
The spirit is distilled from Kansas wheat and steeped with grand and Roman wormwood, fennel, star anise, hyssop, spearmint, peppermint, melissa leaf (lemon balm), chamomile and hibiscus.

— anne brockhoff, kansascity, "Is your cocktail in season? Bartenders letting gardens dictate what's in your glass," 24 Apr. 2018
Surrounded by the stars in Key West, Mama pepped right up and was soon wearing high-heeled sandals and a pink hibiscus flower in her hair.

— lee smith, Southern Living, "WATCH: Memories of My Summer of 1958 in Paradise," 19 June 2018
The spirit is distilled from Kansas wheat and steeped with grand and Roman wormwood, fennel, star anise, hyssop, spearmint, peppermint, melissa leaf (lemon balm), chamomile and hibiscus.

— anne brockhoff, kansascity, "Is your cocktail in season? Bartenders letting gardens dictate what's in your glass," 24 Apr. 2018
Flavors rotate seasonally: current items include watermelon, cold brew coffee & cream, grapefruit hibiscus, honeydew lime and more.

— robert philpot, star-telegram, "Fog, flowers, more crazy shakes: What's new and offbeat in DFW ice-cream shops," 20 June 2018
His cocktails spotlight locally grown fresh fruit, herbs and flowers, like the lavender blossom spritz and hibiscus sour.

— pam kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "New 7 Mile restaurant part of Sheraton revamp in Carlsbad," 14 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hibiscus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.