NAT. ORDER. 
Rosacea. 
HIBISCUS ROSA SINENSIS. CHINA-ROSE, 
Class XVL MoNADELPHiA. Order V. Polyandria, 
Gen. Char. Calyx double, outer many-leaved. Capsules, five- 
celled, with many seeds. 
Spe. Char. Leaves., sub-peltate, cordate, seven-angled, serrate. 
Stem, hisped. 
This is an evergreen shrub, and usually attains the height of 
four to six feet. Its appearance very much resembles the hazel- 
nut. The sepals are five, more or less united at the base with a 
valvate asstivation, often bearing external bracteas, forming an in- 
volucrum ; petals of the same number as the sepals, hypogynous, 
with a twisted aestivation, either distinct, or adhering to the tube 
of the stamens ; stamens indefinite, of the same number as the 
petals ; Jilainents monadelphous ; anthers one-celled, reniform, 
bursting transversely ; ovarium formed by the union of several 
carpella round a common axis, which is distinct ; the styles are the 
same number as the carpella, either united or distinct ; stigynas 
variable ; fruit either capsular or baccate, its carpella being mon- 
ospermous, and united in one ; seeds hairy ; albumen none, or in 
small quantity ; embryo curved, with twisted and double cotyledons ; 
leaves alternate, more or less divided ; peduncles axillary. 
Rumphius, in his Herbarium Amboinense, gives an excellent 
account of this beautiful native of the East Indies, accompanied 
by a representation of it, with double flowers, in which state it is 
more particularly cultivated in all the gardens in India, as well as 
China ; and, according to his account, it grows to the full size of 
Vol, ii.— 159 
