Hibiscus syriacus L.

Hibiscus syriacus L.. Hibiscus syriacus is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is native to areas of east Asia, but widely introduced elsewhere, including much of Europe and North America. It was given the epithet syriacus because it had been collected from gardens in Syria. Common names include the rose of Sharon, Syrian ketmia, shrub althea (or simply althea), Korean rose and rose mallow. It is the national flower of South Korea and is mentioned in the South Korean national anthem.