Jhumko joba, Fringed rosemallow, Hibiscus schizopetalus

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Jhumko joba or Fringed rosemallow (Hibiscus schizopetalus, family: malvaceae) is an ornamental flowering shrub with drooping branches. The evergreen shrub can be 3 m tall. The plant is very adorable to the amateur gardeners of Bangladesh. 


 Common names: Jhumko joba, Fringed rosemallow, Japanese lantern.


Flower is big, orange to red, on oxillary long pedicel. Sepals 5, petals 5. Petals are chopped, curved downwards. About 15 inches long staminal tube rises from middle of the petals. Pistil passes through the staminal tube and stigma is divided into five parts.


Leaves are deep green, petioled, ovate-elliptical, deeply serrated.


Hibiscus schizopetalus is native to tropical Africa and eventually has become popular to the most tropical and subtropical areas of the world. The flower is very unusual than the other members of the hibiscus family. The species name 'schizo' derives from its distinctive shape of the petals.


Propagation of the plant is caused by cutting and air layering. Many new varieties have been developed from this plant through cross breeding. This beautiful plant can survive about 20-25 years.

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