The carrier calyx !

Having seen the calyx of the Hibiscus flower remain after the flower fell off, I felt that there might be something special about it. I enquired from Anna who said that calyx has medicinal value and is rich in vitamins when dried and used to make tea. 

The multiple use of the petals of Hibiscus are well known. The medicinal, ornamental, nutritious and aesthetic values of the petals were what I was familiar with.

The calyx of other flowers open up for the flower to be fully open . But the calyx of the Hibiscus flower forms a protective conical and serrated cover around the base of the flower. It looks like a carrier of the flower to open. The calyx remains in the plant and turns into golden yellow before it shows signs of drying up. Its serrated mouth remains open with its crisp and sharp margins. To me, the calyx appeared something to look at and feel surprised by the designs and patterns in nature. 

I found a description in the internet, which gives the calyx a new status because of its special features: "In essence, the hibiscus calyx is a versatile, flavourful, and nutritional part of the rosella plant, distinct from the ornamental hibiscus flower, used globally for both its taste and therapeutic properties".  The dried calyces are available in herbal shops and the fresh calyces are used to season salads. The calyx probably contributes the flower to remain folded in layers as a bud and to give it a conical appearance before opening as a flower. 

The calyx is not a protective layer alone around the bud but has its own distinct value. 

I have remained till now carried away by the colourful flower of Hibiscus. It was the presence of the calyx after the petals have fallen off form the plant, which took me on a journey to enquire if there was anything special about the calyx.

There is more value in small or apparently insignificant objects than most of us might know !

I happened to notice the calyx incidentally! How much more one can discover about the resources or surprises in nature by being observant and inquisitive!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)