1. ☆ a hardy plant (Hibiscus syriacus) of the mallow family, with white, red, pink, or purplish flowers
2. a plant mentioned in the Bible, variously identified as a tulip, crocus, etc.: S. of Sol. 2:1
3. Chiefly Brit. a shrubby species (Hypericum calycinum) of Saint-John's-wort, with large yellow flowers

Etymology: after Heb sharon, a district in Israel (see S. of Sol. 2:1), aphetic for yesharon, lit., the plain < yashav, adj., level