Hibiscus micranthus

Hibiscus micranthus, the tiny flower hibiscus, is a widespread species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae. A shrub, it is native to seasonally dry tropical areas of Africa, Madagascar, the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, the Indian Subcontinent, and Myanmar. It is used in traditional medicines.

Description

An annual herb or shrub. It grows 70-300 cm tall. It can keep growing for a few years. The branches are straight. The stems are hairy. The leaf stalk is 5-20 mm long. The leaf blade is 20-45 mm long by 15-40 mm wide. The flowers are 1 cm across and white, pink or purple. They occur singly in the axils of leaves.

Edible Uses

The green capsules are edible raw. The fruit, leaves, and seeds are also edible.

Traditional Uses

The green capsules are edible raw.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The leaves are diuretic, febrifuge, stomachic. The leaves are used to treat ear problems, venomous stings, bites etc. The root is used in the treatment of pulmonary problems, stomach troubles and venereal diseases.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in hot arid areas with a marked dry season. It grows in well-drained rocky and sandy soils. It grows between 70-2,900 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Africa, Arabia, Asia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Chad, Comoros, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Seychelles, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Often found as a weed of cultivated crops within its native range, it has the potential to spread as a weed in other, suitable areas. The flowers only open when the plant is growing in direct sunlight.

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ or in containers. Germination is usually fairly rapid and no special pretreatment is needed, although germination will be faster if the seed is abraded or soaked prior to sowing. Prick out container-grown seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions when they are 10cm or more tall. Cuttings of half-ripe wood in a frame. They generally strike readily, particularly if cuttings are taken on an angle through a node and rooting hormone is applied to their ends.

Other Uses

Both the peeled and unpeeled twigs are used as chewing sticks in order to clean the teeth and maintain oral hygiene. The bark contains compounds with antimicrobial activity and is best left on the stem when chewing. A fibre is obtained from the stems.

Notes

There are about 220 Hibiscus species.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Akilehena, Khusiyat, Klondonya, Mburi, Mchachando, Mfagio, Mhurusha-mbuzi, Msase, Okda, Ol egogia

References (15)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 266
• Bahru, T., et al, 2013, Wild Edible Plants: Sustainable Use and Management by Indigenous Communities in and the Buffer Area of Awah National Park, Ethiopia. Ethiop. J. Sci., 36(2): 93-108
• Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 4. Kew.
• East African Herbarium records, 1981,
• Flora of Pakistan. www.eFloras.org

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