Hibiscus tiliaceus L. (Cuban bast)

Family malvaceae

An accompanying plant along the seashores, the Hibiscus tiliaceus L. (Cuban bast), a tough, salt tolerant species, is common along the country seashores. The leaves, about the size of the palm, glossy on the up sides, and hairy on the down sides, are heart-shaped. Taiwanese women living in the country often put the leaves right below the “Hung Kuei Cakes.” Thus, the leaves are also called “Cake Leaves” in Taiwan. The flowers are yellow with dark purple color on the bases. Little girls love to paint their fingernails with the dark purple color, using it as fingernail paint.