Hibiscus grows well in tropical countries around the world. There over 200 species of hibiscus around the world, some are product of cross pollination. The most common species of hibiscus in our country is the Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis.
The trumpet shaped hibiscus flowers can be used as one of the ingredients in herbal teas. These hibiscus teas can be used to reduce high blood pressure, while some species of hibiscus can be made into food dye.
Roselle in my previous post belongs to the same Genus as common hibiscus. Roselle is used in making drinks, jam or as a vegetable.
I was lucky enough to be at the famous Penang Kek Lok Si Pagoda during this year’s Chinese New Year. They have wide varieties of hibiscus plant in the compound of the original pagoda and most of the plants are blooming. The myriad of colourful hibiscus flowers in the pagoda garden was a sight to behold. I took the opportunity to snap as many photos as possible. The short afternoon shower added extra special effects to my photos; it was very captivating to see tiny water droplets clinging on to the surface of hibiscus flowers petals. Here are some of the hibiscus photos I took at Kek Lok Si Temple in Ayer Itam, Penang.
Which one do you think is the nicest?
The Nyonya and Babas in Malaysia use Bunga Telang extract as food colouring. This dark blue extract is one of the important ingredients for a popular Nyonya ‘kuih’ (dessert), the Pulut Tai Tai. In Kelantan, it is use as colouring for their famous nasi kerabu.
I remember, as a kid I used to see my mom collecting and drying these flowers which are then boiled in water. The blue coloured water was then added to a portion of the glutinous rice. My dad made a wooden mould with a top cover which heavy bricks are placed on top to compress the pulut tai tai (Nyonya Glutinous Rice Cake). The pulut tai tai is eaten with kaya spread (egg custard jam).
Bunga telang roots have unique medicinal properties. It can help to alleviate the symptoms’ of stress and depression. The roots can also be used to cure whopping cough!
I planted some seed that my mom gave me in my backyard and they do grow very fast. This creeper plant grew all over my fence and also on my neighbours’ rather quickly. It was growing too fast and one day I over trimmed it and the plant died. Recently I discovered there were new plants growing healthily at the back alley of my house. The seeds must have dropped there!
Due to its’ resemblance to the human female genital, the bunga telang is scientifically known as Clitoria.
I wonder what was in the botanist mind when he/ she named this flower!
