3 days ago
Blooming in full glory again
Delicate beauty: Norhazlin showing off her Hibiscus rosa-sinensis double bloom at her house in Kepala Batas. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
KEPALA BATAS: Where have all the bunga raya gone?
Once a familiar sight in home gardens, Malaysia's national flower is becoming less common in neighbourhoods across the country.
There are reasons for their lack of presence, though.
'I live in a terrace house, so I am lucky to have a small garden.
'My mother and I still enjoy planting flowers, especially hibiscus, but not everyone has the space,' said housewife Norhazlin Mhd Yakin, 37.
'Now, it's no longer practical for many. In those days, people used to grow all kinds of plants in the kampung, especially the bunga raya,' she said.
Plant nursery operator Ahmad Zaidi Abu Bakar, 44, said the traditional varieties of bunga raya still have loyal enthusiasts, but trends have changed.
'In rural areas, the kampung types remain popular.
'But recently, people are going for the hybrid versions, like the Hawaiian ones. They're eye-catching, with bright colours and fancy names like 'Midnight Magic', 'Sunset' and even 'Rainbow',' he said.
He explained that these hybrids often come in exotic shades, including a rare blue, but they tend to be more delicate.
These types prefer cooler temperatures as well, he said.
'Compared to them, the kampung bunga raya is a tough plant.
'It needs little water and does well in our hot weather,' he said.
He noted that sales usually go up around National Day celebrations and Chinese New Year when people seek flowering plants for decoration or symbolism.
'It depends on the season. Some people want something striking.
'Others just want a plant that won't die easily,' he said.
Among the varieties seeing demand are the Confederate Rose, Rose of Sharon and Hardy Hibiscus.
USM botanist Dr Farah Alia Nordin said the hibiscus rosa-sinensis – the bunga raya – is a cultivated tropical hibiscus in the Malvaceae family, believed to have originated from hybridisation efforts by Polynesians in the western Pacific long before European exploration.
'The hybrid was later introduced globally and is now widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, including Malaysia,' she said.
Farah Alia said the plant likely reached the Malay Peninsula in the 12th century, possibly from China, where it was valued as an ornamental.
In 1958, it was nominated as the national flower, alongside contenders like ylang-ylang, jasmine, lotus, rose and magnolia.
It was officially declared the national flower on July 28, 1960, by then Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.
The word 'bunga' means flower while 'raya' means celebratory or grand, making it a symbol of unity and joy in a multicultural nation.
Farah Alia said the flower is also associated with Haiti, where it is considered an unofficial national symbol.
'In ethnobotany, the bunga raya has been used for various treatments.
'It's also considered a symbol of beauty in places like Hawaii and occasionally used in food,' she said.
Last year, Penang initiated a statewide hibiscus-planting campaign in an effort to enhance awareness of the flower's significance.
State housing and environment committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said 7,752 hibiscus plants were grown.
This exceeded the target of 6,000 plants, he said.
