Interesting Facts About the Yellow Hibiscus

Appearance

• The 4- to 6-inch yellow petals on this delicate flower are thin and resemble crepe paper. The shrub carrying the flowers can grow as tall as 15 feet. Hibiscus flowers can be found in a variety of colors from white to red, and the yellow blooms can sometimes have spots of maroon in the center of the bud. The petals overlap, making the flower head look like a yellow circle.

Habitat

• The yellow hibiscus requires dry conditions to thrive. It tolerates high heat well and grows best in full sunlight. It does not fare well in strong winds, and needs soil that can drain water easily. Flowers may bloom anytime throughout the year, but most often from early February to early May. The habitat of the yellow hibiscus has been disturbed in recent years by fires, construction and wild animals.

State Adoption

• A beautification group called the Outdoor Circle was formed by Hawaiian women in 1912 to enhance the natural beauty of Honolulu. They began planting flowers and trees in the area to preserve the beauty of the landscape. In 1923, with support from the Outdoor Circle, legislators approved the adoption of the hibiscus as the flower emblem of Hawaii. It was known as the state flower once Hawaii became a state in 1959. The state flower was the hibiscus until 1988, when the yellow hibiscus was specifically designated.

Endangered

• Due to urbanization through the years, the yellow hibiscus has become increasingly rare in Hawaii. Only 60 yellow hibiscus plants are known to grow naturally in the dry forests of Hawaii, according to Natural Resources Defense Council. The flower was listed as an endangered species in 1994. Efforts by the federal government to preserve this rare beauty have been under way since 2002.