Hibiscus syriacus is a species of hibiscus in the Malvaceae family. Other names include Syrian ketmia, shurb althea, rose mallow, mugunghwa or mokkeunhwa. It is the national flower of South Korea.
Rose of Sharon bears trumpet- or vase-shaped flowers with five broad petals and a distinctive long pistil. Unlike Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, the stamens of Hibiscus syriacus surround the pistil from base to tip. Flowers come in shades of pink, red, blue, purple and white. They are often bicolored, with the base of the petals having a different color.
