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Hibiscus diversifolius - Jacq.

Common Name Swamp Hibiscus
Family Malvaceae
USDA hardiness 9-11
Known Hazards Some caution should be observed when using this plant because there is a report that it might be used to procure abortions. We have no further details.
Habitats Mainly by the coast, especially near rainforests, occasionally on disturbed ground in Australia in New South Wales and Queensland[152].
Range Tropics.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Full sun
Hibiscus diversifolius Swamp Hibiscus


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Melburnian
Hibiscus diversifolius Swamp Hibiscus
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Avenue

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Hibiscus diversifolius is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves  Root
Edible Uses:

Young leaf buds - they are good either raw or cooked[144, 183]. The young leaves can also be eaten, they are mild and quite mucilaginous, making a pleasant addition to the salad bowl[K]. Flowers - raw or cooked with other foods[177, 183]. They have a very mild flavour and are very mucilaginous[K]. They make a very acceptable and beautiful addition to the salad bowl[K]. Root - it is edible but very fibrousy[144]. Mucilaginous, without very much flavour[144].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Abortifacient

Abortifacient?[152].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a well-drained humus rich fertile soil in full sun[200]. A frost-tender shrub, it can be grown as an annual in temperate climates where it can flower and set seed in its first year of growth[200, K]. Plants can also be overwintered in a cold greenhouse if the winter is fairly mild[K]. As the specific name of this plant suggests, the leaves vary widely in shape. The first leaves to be produced are semi-circular in shape, but later leaves are distinctly three-lobed[K]. Plants are self-fertile[K].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[200]. The seed germinates inside 2 weeks and should be potted up into individual pots as soon as it is large enough to handle. Grow the plants on fast in a fairly rich compost and plant them out in late spring after the last expected frosts[K]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. These will be difficult to overwinter unless kept in heated environment[K].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AFRICA: Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa (Cape Province, KwaZulu-Natal), Madagascar, Mauritius

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Hibiscus acetosellaCranberry HibiscusAnnual/Perennial1.5 9-11 MLMHNM322
Hibiscus cannabinusKenaf, Brown IndianhempAnnual/Perennial1.8 6-12 FLMHNM423
Hibiscus heterophyllusNative RosellaShrub1.8 9-11  LMHNM201
Hibiscus moscheutosSwamp Rose Mallow, Crimsoneyed rosemallow, Wild Cotton, Common Rosemallow, Eastern Rosemallow, SwampPerennial2.5 6-9 MLMHSNM12 
Hibiscus mutabilisCotton Rose, Dixie rosemallowShrub3.0 7-10  LMHNM221
Hibiscus radiatusMonarch Rosemallow. Ruby hibiscus, ClavelinaShrub2.0 9-11 MLMHSNM212
Hibiscus rosa-sinensisChinese Hibiscus, Shoeblackplant, Hawaiian Hibiscus, Tropical Hibiscus, China Rose, Rose-of-China, SShrub2.5 9-11 FLMHNM333
Hibiscus sabdariffaRoselleAnnual/Perennial3.0 9-12  LMHNM332
Hibiscus sinosyriacusRose Of SharonShrub3.0 6-9 MLMHSNM423
Hibiscus syriacusRose Of Sharon, Althaea, Shrub Althea, Hardy HibiscusShrub3.0 5-9 MLMHSNM422
Hibiscus tilliaceusBeach Hibiscus, Sea HibiscusTree8.0 10-12 FLMNDMWe213
Hibiscus trionumFlower Of An HourAnnual/Perennial0.6 9-11 FLMHNDM210
Talipariti tiliaceumBeach Hibiscus, Sea Hibiscus, Cottontree, MahoeTree10.0 10-12 FLMHNMWe324

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Jacq.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

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