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Sea Hibiscus (Dhigga)
Sea Hibiscus or Hibiscus tiliaceus comes from malvaceae
family. This fast growing tree
commonly grows along the seashore and back
mangroves. In mangroves, it indicates the high water mark and the boundary
between the end of salt water penetration and the beginning of freshwater swamp.In Sun Island you may find its flowers on the beachside. It also grows
to 15-20m. Its Flowers are yellow, with five petals, dark brown corolla with
dark red stigma.The yellow flowers open in the morning (after sunrise, about
9 am) and turn orangey brown before falling on the same evening or the
following day. The Fruits ( not edible) are small woody furry spheres which
split open to form 5 segments, releasing 3-5 small kidney shaped seeds.
Leaves are small, heart-shaped, downy underneath. They are used for compost
and the bark contains tough fibres used for making rope. The bark is
stripped lengthwise from the wood and soaked in water to separate the outer
bark from the smooth cream-coloured inner bark. This is dried and woven into
rope. The cord has the unique property of being stronger when wet. The rope
is used to make a wide variety of items including fishing nets, hammocks,
mats, slings, bow strings, net bags, string for sewing or making flower
garlands. The white timber is lightweight (floats well) but tough. Thus in
Maldives, it is used to build boats (Dhoni). Sometimes, branches which have
the required bends for these purposes are taken. The branches are stripped
of bark then soaked in seawater for several weeks to discourage insects and
rot. The timber is also used to make handles of axes, and brooms. Small
pieces of wood were used as floats. It is ideal also as fire wood.
Related Links:
> Exploring The Magical Island
> Fauna of Sun Island
< Exotic Flora of Sun Island
- Annona glabra ( Kalhuhuthu Meyvaa)
- Banana (Faiykeyo gas)
- Bilimbi (Bilamagu)
- Bougainvillea (Dhaahiliyyaamaa)
- Breadfruit (Bambukeyo)
- Cape Gooseberry (Muraaki)
- Coconut (Dhivehi Ruh)
- Curry Leaves (Hikandhi Faiy)
- Custard Apple (Dhivehi Atha)
- Flamboyant Tree (Reethigas)
- Frangipani (Gulchampa)
- Ginger Thomas (Bokarumaa)
- Guava (Feyru)
- Guettarda speciosa (Uni)
- Helianthus debilis ( Lanka Mirihi)
- Henna (Heena Fai)
- Hibiscus (Saima)
- Jamaica cherry (Jeymu)
- Jamaican Mountain Sage (Lantana Camara)
- Jasmine ( Huvandhu Maa)
- Lemon Grass
- Lime (Lumbo)
- Madagascan Periwinkle (Malikuruvaa)
- Mango (Anbu)
- Noni Fruit (Ahivah)
- Papaya (Falho)
- Passion Fruit (Jumhooreemevaa)
- Poinciana pulcherrima L. (Fathanguma)
- Queen of the night ( Husnuheena )
- Rampe
- Sapodilla (Sabudheli)
- Scaevola sericea ( Magoo)
- Scewpine (Maa/Boa Kashikeyo)
- Sea Hibiscus (Dhigga)
- Tamarind (Helenbeli)
- Taro (Olhu Ala)
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