rose of Sharon

1. Also called althea. a widely cultivated shrub or small tree, Hibiscus syriacus, of the mallow family, having showy white, reddish or purplish flowers.

2. Also called Aaron's-beard. a St.-John's-wort, Hypericum calycinum, having evergreen foliage and showy yellow flowers.

3. a plant mentioned in the Bible. Song of Solomon 2:1.

[1605-15]

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Shrub or small tree (Hibiscus syriacus, or Althaea syriaca) in the mallow family, native to eastern Asia but widely planted as an ornamental for its showy flowers.

It can grow to 10 ft (3 m) and generally assumes a low-branching pyramid shape. The mallowlike flowers range from white and pinkish-lavender to purple, generally with a crimson base; some varieties have double flowers. The name also sometimes refers to the unrelated Aaron's-beard (Hypericum calycinum), a shrubby relative of St.-John's-wort.

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▪ Hibiscus syriacus

also called  shrub althaea 

      (Hibiscus syriacus, or Althaea syriaca), shrub or small tree, in the hibiscus, or mallow, family (Malvaceae), native to eastern Asia but widely planted as an ornamental for its showy flowers. It can attain a height of 3 metres (10 feet) and generally assumes a low-branching pyramidal growth habit. The mallowlike flowers range in the different varieties from white and pinkish lavender to purple, generally with a crimson base; certain varieties have double flowers. Hypericum calycinum, of the family Clusiaceae, is also called rose of Sharon.

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