Caribbean Flowers Series - Hibiscus

In 1998, Wendy Fitzwilliam was crowned Miss Universe. It was a proud moment for Trinidad and Tobago as she was the second Trinidadian to receive the title. But if one remembers, Ms. Fitzwilliam wore a Hibiscus in her hair. The Hibiscus is the national flower of Hawaii and it also thrives in Trinidad and Tobago.

In Caribbean folk medicine, the flowers are used for herbal tea remedies for ailments such as high blood pressure or constipation. Chows are also made. There are many varieties or grafted variations of this tropical scrub, but in 1988 many Hibiscus trees were devastated by the pink mealy bug infestation. -thebookmann