007 - Malaysia

(postalcard) The Genus Hibiscus comprises plants also commonly called hibiscus and less widely known as rosemallow. The large genus of about 200–220 species of flowering plants in the family Malvaceae (the mallow family, along with members like cacao, cotton, okra, baobab and durian) native to warm, temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. The genus includes both annual and perennial herbaceous plants, and woody shrubs and small trees.
Many species are grown for their showy flowers or used as landscape shrubs. Hibiscus is also a primary ingredient in many herbal teas. One species of Hibiscus, known as Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), is extensively used in paper making. Another, roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is used as a vegetable and to make herbal teas and jams (especially in the Caribbean). Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is the national flower (Bunga Raya) of Malaysia.

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Hippeastrum is a genus of about 70–75 species and 600+ hybrids and cultivars of bulbous plants in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas from Argentina north to Mexico and the Caribbean. Some species are grown for their large showy flowers. These plants are popularly but erroneously known as Amaryllis, a monotypic African genus in the same family.

Hippeastrum is a popular bulb flower for indoor growing. The bulb is tender and should not be exposed to frost, but is otherwise easy to grow, with large rewards for small efforts, especially those that bloom inside during the winter months. The very large, decorative flowers can also be grown outside in temperate areas. Most hippeastrum bulbs are between 5-12 cm in diameter and produce two to seven long-lasting evergreen or deciduous leaves that are 30-90 cm long and 2,5-5 cm wide. The flower stem is erect, 30-75 cm tall, 2,5-5 cm in diameter and is hollow. Depending on the species, it bears two to fifteen large flowers, each of which is 13–20c m across with six brightly colored tepals (three outer sepals and three inner petals) that may be similar in appearance or very different. Some species are epiphytic (H. calyptratum, H. aulicum, H.arboricola and some others) and need good air circulation around their roots. Research shows that respiration doubles with each 10 °C increase in temperature.

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Nelumbium Nelumbo - local names: Baino (Tag.); liñgaling (Ibn.); lotus, sacred lotus, Egyptian lotus, East Indian lotus (Eng.); saua (Mag.); sukau (Ilk.); Lien Ou (Chinese.) Lotus or baino, is found from northern Luzon to Mindanao, in shallow lakes. It was probably introduced in the Philippines, but if so, in prehistoric times. It is a native of Asia and is now widely distributed in cultivation. The plant is a perennial, aquatic herb with creeping rootstocks. The leaves are raised above the water, large, rounded, peltate, and 50 to 90 centimeters in width. The flowers are attractive, being pink, red or white, and 15 to 25 centimeters in diameter and stand out of the water. The flower has about twenty pink petals, 7 to 15 centimeters in length. In the center of the flower there is a large structure shaped like an inverted cone. In the top of this are located the ovules, which later become the seeds. Around this inverted cone are numerous yellow stamens. The mature fruit is formed by the enlargement of the spongy, cone-shaped structure in the center of the flower. The ripe carpel (fruit and seed in one) is about 13 millimeters long, with a black, bony and smooth pericarp.