Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae, that produces large, showy trumpet-shaped flowers in colours, such as white, pink, orange, purple, red and yellow. The plant is native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions in the world with over 200 different varieties in the genus. Member species are often noted for their showy flowers and are commonly known simply as hibiscus, or less widely known as rose mallow. The genus includes both annual and perennial herbaceous plants, as well as woody shrubs and small trees. The generic name is derived from the Greek word hibískos, which was the name Pedanius Dioscorides (ca. 40–90) gave to Althaea officinalis.