/huy bis"keuhs, hi-/ , n. , pl. hibiscuses .
1. Also called China rose . a woody plant, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, of the mallow family, having large, showy flowers: the state flower of Hawaii.
2. any of numerous other plants, shrubs, or trees of the genus Hibiscus, characterized by lobate or dentate leaves and usually profusely blooming flowers.
[ 1700-10; hibískos mallow ]