Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves  Oil  Oil  Root  Seed
Edible Uses: Condiment  Oil  Oil

Young leaves - cooked[74, 105, 177]. Used as a potherb or added to soups[183]. The leaves have an acid flavour like sorrel[2]. Seed - roasted or ground into a flour and made into a kind of cake[105, 177, 183]. Root - it is edible but very fibrousy[144]. Mucilaginous, without very much flavour[144]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[61, 183]. The yield varies from 2 - 10 tonnes per hectare[74] (or is it per acre?).

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Antibilious  Aphrodisiac  Dysentery  Poultice  Purgative

The juice of the flowers, mixed with sugar and black pepper, is used in the treatment of biliousness with acidity[240]. The seeds are aphrodisiac[240]. They are added to the diet in order to promote weight increase[240]. Externally, they are used as a poultice on pains and bruises[240]. The leaves are purgative[240]. An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of coughs[269]. In Ayurvedic medicine, the leaves are used in the treatment of dysentery and bilious, blood and throat disorders. The powdered leaves are applied to Guinea worms in Africa[269]. The peelings from the stems have been used in the treatment of anaemia, fatigue, lassitude, etc[269].

Dye  Fibre  Friction sticks  Oil  Oil  Paper  Plant support  Soap making  Soil reclamation  String

Agroforestry Uses: Kenaf can be used for erosion control and as a cover crop to improve soil health. Its fibrous stalks can also be used to produce fiber, making it a multi-purpose crop. Kenaf plants accumulate minerals such as selenium and boron, and can be used as a bioremedial tool for removing these metals from contaminated soil[299, 1519] .Yields a fibre from the stem[1, 123], a very good jute substitute though it is a bit coarser[61]. The fibre strands, which are 1.5 - 3 metres long, are used for making rope, cordage, canvas, sacking, carpet backing, nets, table cloths etc[74, 123, 269]. For the best quality fibre, the stems should be harvested shortly after the flowers open[171, 269]. The best fibre is at the base of the stems, so hand pulling is often recommended over machine harvesting[269]. Yields of about 1.25 tonnes of fibre per hectare are average, though 2.7 tonnes has been achieved in Cuba[74, 269]. The pulp from the stems has been used in making paper[269]. The seed contains between 18 and 35% of an edible semi-drying oil[61, 74]. It is rather similar to groundnut oil, obtained from Arachis hypogaea[240]. The oil is also used for burning, as a lubricant and in making soap, linoleum, paints and varnishes[46, 61, 74, 269]. The seed yield varies from 2 to 10 tonnes per acre[74] (or is it per hectare?). The stems have been used as plant supports for growing runner beans etc[269]. The soot from the stems has been used as a black pigment in dyes[269]. The stem has been used as a base for drilling fire[269]. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: Yes – The flowers of Hibiscus cannabinus produce nectar that attracts pollinators, including bees and butterflies. 2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): Yes – The leaves and seeds are edible and can be used as food sources for both wildlife and humans. The plant may provide some shelter due to its dense foliage, though it’s not a primary nesting site for birds. 3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover): Yes – Kenaf can provide habitat for beneficial insects, and its foliage may contribute to leaf litter, which can serve as a refuge for invertebrates. 4. Pest Confuser (Smell): No – While the plant has a pleasant smell, it is not primarily known for confusing pests or deterring them.

Special Uses

Food Forest