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Hibiscus hirtus

Linn.

Lesser mallow.

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) Anil Kumar Verma, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Anil Kumar Verma

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) Radha Veach, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Radha Veach

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) Paul Antony Mangaly, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Paul Antony Mangaly

Hibiscus hirtus, commonly known as the lesser mallow, is a species of Hibiscus found in India. It is a perennial deciduous shrub with a maximum height of about 1 meter.

Description

A herb or small shrub. It grows 1.5 m tall. The leaves have teeth along the edge. The flowers are pink or orange and smaller than most Hibiscus. They are 3 cm across. The flowers open at midday. The pods has about 12-15 seeds.

Edible Uses

The leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant.

Where It Grows

Asia, East Timor, Fiji, India, Malaysia, Pacific, SE Asia, Timor-Leste,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed.

Synonyms

Hibiscus rosa-malabarica Ker Gawl.

Also Known As

Dupari, Lal-surgumini, Nareri, Suamani, Suryamani

References (3)

  • Cowie, I, 2006, A Survey of Flora and vegetation of the proposed Jaco-Tutuala-Lore National Park. Timor-Lests (East Timor) www.territorystories.nt/gov.au p 50
  • Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 345
  • Smith, A.C., 1981, Flora Vitiensis Nova, Lawaii, Kuai, Hawaii, Volume 2 p 421

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