Rose of Sharon Facts
The first known reference to the Rose of Sharon exists in the biblical book Song of Songs, also known as the Song of Solomon. The flower mentioned in the Bible likely differs from those that took on the name. As of 2010, the Rose of Sharon name refers to a few different species. Does this Spark an idea?
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Biblical Reference
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The Song of Songs may refer to the Pancratium Maritimum, or Sea Daffodil, as the Rose of Sharon. The Hebrew term translated into "the Rose of Sharon" by early English translators of the Bible presents a puzzle. Scholars like Harold Moldenke claim the original Hebrew term roughly translates into something like "pungent bulb," suggesting that the flower mentioned in Song of Solomon 2:1 refers to a bulbous flower. The text could refer to a variety of flowers, including lilies and crocuses. Moldenke believes the term most likely refers to a type of tulip.
Hibiscus Syriacus
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The Rose of Sharon often refers to the Hibiscus Syriacus. American botanists such as Willard Nelson Clute agree that as of the early 21st century the name refers to the Hibiscus Syriacus, a flower with large, flat blossoms appearing in white, pink, purple, and red. This plant provides a notable source of nectar for hummingbirds and insects. The Hibiscus Syriacus grows to a height between 2 and 4 meters, and generally blooms in the late summer to early fall. This perennial shrub originates from India and East Asia. It is the national flower of South Korea, where its name means "immortal flower."
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Hypericum Calycinum
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As of 2010, the Hypericum Calycinum often claims the name Rose of Sharon. The Hypericum Calycinum shares the name of Rose of Sharon, but mostly by those botanist organizations using British English, such as the Botanic Gardens Trust in Sydney, Australia. This perennial groundcover blooms throughout the summer with bright yellow flowers that are typically scattered along dark green stems with dark green leaves. The plant grows to around 1 meter in height and between 1 and 2 meters in width. It originally comes from southeast Europe and southwest Asia.
Literature and Music
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In addition to agricultural uses of Rose of Sharon, the term also found its way into popular culture. In "The Grapes of Wrath," John Steinbeck has a character named Rose of Sharon, who is the sister of the novel's protagonist. Sherman Alexie named a homeless character Rose of Sharon in his 2003 story, "What You Pawn I Will Redeem." The band Xiu Xiu, the singer Robert Hunter, and the singer Joan Baez, each released a song entitled "Rose of Sharon," and the game Ragnarok Online plays a background track with the same name. Kate Bush refers to the Rose of Sharon in her 1993 song, "The Song of Solomon," as does Bob Dylan in his 1981 song, "Caribbean Wind."
Other References
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A Canadian charity group called "Rose of Sharon" started providing help and services for young mothers in 1986. In the United States, the Lutheran sorority Phi Beta Chi uses the white Rose of Sharon for its official flower. Lastly, a village in southern Texas calls itself "Rosharon," after George Wetmore Colles named it "Rose of Sharon" in 1900 for the Cherokee roses that grew in the area.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit tulip tulipa china pink image by Jorge Moro from Fotolia.com pancratium image by Vadim_Rogol from Fotolia.com Hibiscus image by Cédric FROEHLICH from Fotolia.com hypericum image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
