Mujin

Language:

Chinese

Local scripture:

木槿

Botanical classification

Hibiscus syriacus L.

Order:

Malvales

Family:

Malvaceae

Synonyms:

Hibiscus acerifolius Salisb.

Hibiscus floridus Salisb.

Hibiscus rhombifolius Cav.

Ketmia arborea Moench

Ketmia syriaca (L.) Scop.

Ketmia syrorum Medik.

Plant growing area

Cultivated in most tropical and temperate regions of Asia.

Native to China (Anhui, Guangdong, Guangxi, Jiangsu, Sichuan,Yunnan, and Zhejiang; cultivated in Fujian, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Shandong, Xizang), Taiwan.

Sea cliffs, hillsides, along streams, roadsides, also extensively cultivated; below 1200 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Hibiscus syriacus is a bushy plant measuring 1.50m to 4m high. The flowers, hermaphrodite, are purple, pink or white; they can be isolated or grouped in inflorescences. Flowering occurs from July to October. The plant adapts to various soil types if they are well drained. It likes full sun.

Its was taken in cultivation very early along trade routes to the Middle East and to Europe. Hibiscus syriacus is grown as an ornamental plant in gardens.

The flowers are edible. The plant was used in traditional medicine, the flowers for their emollient properties, leaves for their diuretic properties and root for their antipyretic and anthelmintic properties.

The fibers of the stem are used in the manufacture of ropes.

A mucilage is extracted from the roots which is used as formation aid in paper making. This viscous material is added to the pulp to increase its viscosity and thus delay the settling of fibers in the tank. In addition, the mucilage allows a better dispersion of the long fibers.

China:

The use of hibiscus syriacus is quoted in the stories of "Guixinzashi" or "Miscellaneous news from Guixin street" by Zhou Mi (mid 13th century).

Korea:

Hibiscus syriacus is the national emblem of South Korea. Mugung means eternity.

Silla kingdom (57av JC -. 935) called itself the land of hibiscus. A Chinese document from the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) mentions that Korea is the land of hibiscus. It is the poet Lee Gyu-bo (1168-1241) during the Goryeo dynasty who first used the name "mugungwha."

The plant adorns the gardens in Korea from immemorial time ; its leaves were brewed into an herbal tea and flowers were eaten.

Preparation process for making paper

China:

Fang Yishi (1611-1671) in « Wuli xiaoshi » or « Some Knowledge of Physics » , published in 1643, describes how the rose of Sharon roots are reduced to a slurry which was poured into the tank with the mulberry fibers before making paper sheets.

Vernacular names

Chinese

Mujin	木槿

Japanese

Mokukinka	モクキンカ
Mukuge	ムクゲ

Korean

Moo goong hwa	무궁화

French

Althéa
Ketmie des jardins

French

Mauve de Syrie

English

Rose of Sharron
Shrub althea

Used part of the plant:

Root

Leaf

Use for paper making:

Formation aid

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Mujin

Hibiscus syriacus L.