Hibiscus sabdariffa

An annual or perennial growing to 3 m tall by 2 m wide at a fast rate. Hardy to UK zone 10 and frost tender. Flowers August to October with seeds ripening October to November. Hermaphroditic, self-fertile flowers pollinated by insects. Attracts wildlife. Accommodates light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH. Requires full sun and prefers moist soil.

Description

A branched shrub up to 2 m high. It has reddish stems, leaves and fruit. Different types vary in their height, shape and leafiness. The leaves are 7-10 cm across and lobed. The upper leaves often have more lobes than the lower leaves. The flowers are large and yellow and in the axils of the leaves. They are carried singly. The bracts at the base of the flower are enlarged and form a fleshy red fruit. This capsule is 3 cm long and contains 22-34 seeds. The seeds are dark brown and 4-6 mm long. 1000 seeds weigh about 25 g.

Edible Uses

The fresh calyx (the outer whorl of the flower) can be eaten raw in salads, cooked as a flavouring in cakes, or used in jellies, soups, sauces, pickles, puddings and similar dishes. It is rich in citric acid and pectin, making it particularly useful for jams and jellies. It can also be used to add red colour and flavour to herb teas, or roasted as a coffee substitute. A popular refreshing drink is made by boiling the calyx, sweetening with sugar and adding ginger. Tender young leaves and stems can be eaten raw or cooked — in salads, as a potherb, or as a seasoning in curries — and have an acid, rhubarb-like flavour. Seeds can be roasted, ground into a powder, and used in oily soups and sauces; roasted seeds have also been used as a coffee substitute said to have aphrodisiac properties. The roots are edible but highly fibrous, with a mucilaginous texture and little flavour. The seed yields 20% oil, which is likely edible.

Traditional Uses

The swollen bases of the flowers are used for jams or drinks. The young leaves can be cooked and eaten. They can also be dried and used later. The flowers can be used to flavour drinks. The seeds can be eaten. They can be dried and ground. They can be pressed for oil. They are also fermented. The dried ground seeds are used for coffee.

Medicinal Uses

Roselle is an aromatic, astringent, cooling herb widely used in tropical regions. It is reported to have diuretic effects, to help lower fevers, and to be antiscorbutic. The leaves are antiscorbutic, emollient, diuretic, refrigerant and sedative; their high mucilage content makes them useful as an emollient and soothing cough remedy, and they are applied externally as a poultice on abscesses. The fruits are antiscorbutic. The flowers contain gossypetin, anthocyanin and the glycoside hibiscin, which may exert diuretic and choleretic effects, decrease blood viscosity, reduce blood pressure and stimulate intestinal peristalsis. Experimentally, a flower infusion has been shown to decrease blood viscosity, reduce blood pressure and stimulate intestinal peristalsis. Leaves and flowers are used internally as a tonic tea supporting digestive and kidney function. The ripe calyces are diuretic and antiscorbutic; boiled in water, the succulent calyx is used as a drink to treat bilious attacks. The seeds are diuretic, laxative and tonic, and are used in the treatment of debility. The bitter root is aperitif and tonic. The plant is also reported to be antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cholagogue, demulcent, digestive, purgative and resolvent, and is used as a folk remedy for abscesses, bilious conditions, cancer, cough, debility, dyspepsia, dysuria, fever, hangover, heart ailments, hypertension, neurosis, scurvy and strangury. One report indicates value in treating arteriosclerosis and as an intestinal antiseptic, though the specific plant part is not identified. Simulated ingestion of the plant extract in chickens decreased the rate of alcohol absorption, lessening the intensity of its effects.

Known Hazards

The oil might contain toxic substances.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows from sea level up to about 1,700 m altitude. It will tolerate a range of soils. It requires short days for flowering. They will grow in semi arid locations. It grows best where average temperatures are in the range 25-30°. It needs a temperature above 10-13°C. It is very sensitive to frost. Plants will tolerate high temperatures. They grow up to 800 m altitude in Africa. A rainfall of 450-550 mm distributed over a 90-120 day growing period is required. It cannot tolerate waterlogged soils. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Africa, Amazon, Andamans, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, Chad, China, Congo DR, Congo R, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Equatorial-Guinea, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Rotuma, Rwanda, Sahel, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Uganda, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Prefers a well-drained humus rich fertile soil in full sun. Roselle requires a permeable soil, a friable sandy loam with humus being preferable; however, it will adapt to a variety of soils. It is not shade tolerant and must be kept weed-free. It will tolerate floods, heavy winds or stagnant water. Roselle is reported to tolerate an annual precipitation of 64 to 429cm, an annual temperature in the range of 12.5 to 27.5°C and a pH of 4.5 to 8.0. This species is not hardy in Britain, but it can be grown as a half-hardy annual, flowering in its first year from seed. Plants are sensitive to the length of daylight and do not flower if there are more than 13 hours of light in the day. Roselle is widely cultivated in the Tropical and Sub-tropical zones for its fibre and edible calyx, there are some named varieties. Roselle is best suited to tropical climates with a well-distributed rainfall of 1500 - 2000 mm yearly, from sea-level to about 600 m altitude. It tolerates a warmer and more humid climate than kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), but is more susceptible to damage from frost and fog. Plants exhibit marked photoperiodism, not flowering at shortening days of 13.5 hours, but flowering at 11 hours. In the United States plants do not flower until short days of late fall or early winter. Since flowering is not necessary for fibre production, long light days for 3 - 4 months is the critical factor. There are two main forms of the plant:- var. sabdariffa has red or pale yellow inflated edible calyces but a poor quality fibre; var. altissima is grown for its fibre but has inedible calyces. Plants have a deep penetrating taproot. Roselle is self-fertile. The calyxes are typically harvested in late summer to early autumn when they are bright red and fully developed. Roselle usually flowers in summer. Roselle grows rapidly and, depending on the climate and growing conditions, matures in about 90 to 150 days after planting.

Propagation

Sow seed in early spring in a warm greenhouse; germination is usually fairly rapid. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle. For annual cultivation, plant out in early summer with frame or cloche protection until established. For perennial cultivation, grow on in the greenhouse for the first year and plant out in early summer of the following year. Half-ripe cuttings taken in July or August can be rooted in a frame, overwintered in a warm greenhouse, and planted out after the last expected frosts.

Other Uses

Roselle can be used as a companion plant to attract pollinators and beneficial insects, and as a hedge owing to its height and dense foliage. A strong stem fibre known as rosella hemp is used for sackcloth, twine and cord. A yellow dye obtained from the petals is used in medicines and other products. The seeds yield 20% oil. The nectar- and pollen-rich flowers attract bees and butterflies, and the plant provides some wildlife habitat through its foliage and leaf litter, though it is not a primary nesting site for birds.

Production

Fruit are ready 12-15 weeks after sowing. The bracts are picked 15-20 days after flowering. They can produce about 1 kg per plant. The yield of leaves can be 10 tons per hectare. Young leaves are plucked from the plant.

Other Information

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. The leaves and flowers are sold in markets in India. In Papua New Guinea, not common except in areas where people have been encouraged to grow it. eg Sepik. Leaves are sold in local markets. They are commonly eaten in Senegal.

Notes

There are about 220 Hibiscus species. Chemical composition (calyx): Protein (crude) = 10.9% (dry). Fat = 1.1% (dry). Fibre (crude) = 10.7% (dry). Ash (insoluble) = 11.5% (dry). Carbohydrate (soluble): Starch = 2.8% (dry). Sucrose = Ø %. D-glucose = 3.5% (dry). D-fructose = 0.9% (dry). Amino acids (g [16g N]-1): Aspartic acid = 39.0g. Threonine = 1.8g. Serine = 2.0g. Glutamic acid = 6.9g. Proline = 3.9g. Glycine = 2.4g. Alanine = 2.4g. Valine = 2.4g. Cysteine = 0.3g. Methionine = 0.7g. Isoleucine = 2.0g. Leucine = 3.0g. Tyrosine = 1.1g. Lysine = 2.6g. Phenylalanine = 1.7g. Lysine = 2.6g. Histidine = 1.5g. Arginine = 2.5g. Minerals: Sulphur = 0.13% (dry). Potassium = 0.13% (dry). Magnesium = 0.33% (dry). Calcium = 1.29% (dry). Na = 0.01% (dry). K = 2.53% (dry). Zinc = 41 mg/kg-1 (dry). Iron = 97 mg/kg-1 (dry). Manganese = 416 mg/kg-1 (dry). Copper = 5 mg/kg-1 (dry). Aluminium = 66 mg/kg-1 (dry).

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Abema, Abin kan iyaakaa, Amukan, Ankpama, Asam ruso, Asam susur, Bamya, Bare-see, Beet, Bilat-chinbaung, Bissap, Carcade, Cay bup giam, Chhuka, Chidede, Chinbaung-ni, Chinbaung ywet, Chinebaune, Chukar, Chukiar, Dah, Divay, Ekiganga, Ekikenke, Emalakany, Emelakwang, Essang, Fol-lere, Folere, Florida cranberry, Gamet walanda, Gisima, Gisma, Gurguzu, Hanserong, Hasip, Indian sorrel, Jajewdet, Kahcieb priew, Kalabi, Karcade, Karkady, Ka-santhor, Kasturi roriha, Kata bahaji petua, Khatabhaji, Khirmoishak, Kpakpala, Krachiap-daeng, Krachiap, Kubab, Kudiass, Kuluba, Labog, Lakher-anthur, Lal-ambadi, Lal-ambari, Lal mesta, Lal-mista, Langkamit, Lokeke, Malakwang, Mei gui qie, Mesta tenga, Mphesya, Ngayi-ngayi, Ojo, Oseilla rouge, Oseille, Patwa, Phakkengkheng, Phat-swon-pan, Polechi, Pulichchai, Pulincha kira, Pundibija, Quimbombo chino, Rata bilincha, Red Sorrel, Roozera, Rosel, Rosela, Sakpa, Sangume, Sato, Sawa-sawa, Shan qie zi, Shilot sougree, Slok chu, Sodo, Som pho di, Sorel, Sour-sour, Sum-bawng, Sununkru, Sure, Talingsiag, Tenga more, Thakhlao maikhri, Tikonn'te, Tikwouann'ti, Tropical cranberry, Vaianthuh, Vai anthuk, Vinagreira, Yakuwa, Yakwa, Yerra gogu

References (160)

• Roselle references Hibiscus sabdariffa
• ABDELMUTI,
• Achigan-Dako, E, et al (Eds), 2009, Catalogue of Traditional Vegetables in Benin. International Foundation for Science.
• Agea, J. G., et al 2011, Wild and Semi-wild Food Plants of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom of Uganda: etc. Environmental Research Journal 5(2) 74-86
• Alice, L. & O'Quinn, T., Australian Bush Superfoods. Explore Australia p 138

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