New hibiscus hybrid named after researcher

MANILA, Philippines – The Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) has named a hybrid of Hibiscus rosasinensis (gumamela) after Dr. Solita Camara-Besa, the first Filipina to specialize in biological chemistry.

Hibiscus rosa sinensis “Solita Camara-Besa” is the 35th honoree of the Hibiscus Hybrid Women of Science Series since the IPB began the project on hibiscus breeding in December 1994.

The project was aimed at developing hibiscus hybrids with “stunning” flower colors and appearance, improve the native cultivars, and develop new varieties with varied colors and appearance.

The project also aims to make the local hibiscus variety be more competitive in the international market.

Gumamela is a species of a flowering plant found in cultivation throughout the Philippines. Aside from ornamentation, some locals are using it as alternative medicine.

Camara-Besa, a medical educator and researcher, was born on March 2, 1915.

She has worked on the sodium and potassium content of Philippine foods and established standards useful in the preparation of diets.

Her series of eight papers on cholesterol levels in relation to diets of various segments of the Filipino population gives an idea of the importance of fats and cholesterol in the epidemiology of atherosclerosis among Filipinos.

Aside from Camara-Besa, other honorees of the Hibiscus Hybrid Women of Science Series include Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro and University of the Philippines System president Dr. Emerlinda Roman.