Hibiscus
in botany, the typical genus of the malvaceous tribe Hibisceæ.
The involucel is of several leaves, calyx with five divisions, petals five, stamens forming a sheath which incloses the fivebranched style. Fruit five-celled, many seeded. They are plants with large showy flowers, found chiefly, though not exclusively, in tropical countries. In the West Indies H. arborea furnishes tenacious fibers, which are made into whips. Those of H. cannabinus constitute the sun of India, used as a substitute for hemp. H. syriacus and H. rosa sinensis are ornamental; the astringent plants of the latter are used by the Chinese to blacken their eyebrows and the leather of their shoes. More than 100 species of the genus are known.
HICCOUGH HICCOUGH (hik'up), or HICCUP, a series of sudden, rapid, and brief inspirations, followed by expiration accomby by expiration accompanied by noise. It is generally caused by irritation of the stomach. It also accompanies certain fevers.