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Hibiscus heterophyllus - Vent.

Common Name Native Rosella
Family Malvaceae
USDA hardiness 9-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Moist eucalyptus forests, jungle gullies and rainforest edges[144, 193].
Range Australia - New South Wales, Queensland.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Full sun
Hibiscus heterophyllus Native Rosella


Hibiscus heterophyllus Native Rosella
http://www.flickr.com/people/62938898@N00Hibiscus moscheutos

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Hibiscus heterophyllus is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.8 m (6ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
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  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked. Pleasantly acid[144, 177, 193]. An excellent spinach substitute, the boiled leaves losing their acidity[193]. Flowers and flower buds - raw or cooked[157]. A very mild flavour[144]. Root - it is edible but very fibrousy[144]. Mucilaginous, without very much flavour[144]. The roots of young plants are used[193].

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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fibre

A tough fibre obtained from the stems is used for making nets etc[156, 193].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a well-drained humus rich fertile soil in full sun[200]. Suitable for waterside plantings[200]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, it is unlikely to succeed outdoors even in the mildest areas of the country. However, it might be possible to grow it as a half-hardy annual, to flower in its first year from seed.

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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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 early spring in a warm greenhouse. Germination is usually fairly rapid. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If growing them as annuals, plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and protect them with a frame or cloche until they are growing away well. If hoping to grow them as perennials, then it is better to grow them on in the greenhouse for their first year and to plant them out in early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Overwinter them in a warm greenhouse and plant out after the last expected frosts.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AUSTRALASIA: Australia (Queensland)

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 :

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Hibiscus acetosellaCranberry HibiscusAnnual/Perennial1.5 9-11 MLMHNM322
Hibiscus cannabinusKenaf, Brown IndianhempAnnual/Perennial1.8 6-12 FLMHNM423
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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

Vent.

Botanical References

200265

Links / References

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