Plants: Species

Hibiscus Hibiscus sp.

FAMILY: MALVACEAE (Mallow Family)

Hibiscus are among the most showy of the tropical flowering shrubs, and the San Diego Zoo has more than 25 varieties of them. A member of the mallow family, hibiscuses are thought to have originated in tropical Asia.

Many members of our animal collection get hibiscus leaves and flowers for browse, including leaf-eating monkeys and iguanas.