Hibiscus – National Flower

• The national flower of Malaysia - Bunga Raya

• Hibiscus Rosasinensis

• Its flowers are large and trumpet-shaped, with colours ranging from white through yellow, orange to scarlet and shades of pink.

• Official Launch as our National Flower 28/7/1960

• Chosen by our 1st Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman

• The five petals of the Bunga Raya symbolise the Rukunegara (the Five Principles of Nationhood), while the colour red represents courage.

• From early times, the hibiscus has been known to have many uses, mostly medicinal. Its petals were commonly used to darken and enhance women’s eyebrows; while some people still use the roots of the hibiscus plant as a cure for fever and other ailments. Skin eruptions and glandular troubles are said to be relieved by the application of the juice obtained from its leaves and roots while a poultice prepared from the leaves is often applied to cure headaches. It can also used as a shoe polish to shine your shoe.