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Summary
Hibiscus sabdariffa,
Roselle is an annual or short-lived perennial herb/woody-based subshrub with edible flowers, leaves, young stems, shoots and seeds. The tender young leaves and stems are used in salads, as a potherb and as a seasoning in curries; they have an acid, rhubarb-like flavour. The edible calyxes (modified flower petals) are high in vitamin C. They have a pleasant tart-sweet taste in salads, jellies, red sauces, jams, cordials, syrups, fruit teas and wine. The calyx is rich in citric acid and pectin, making it useful for jams and jellies. The seed and calyx are roasted and used as a coffee substitute. The roasted seed is ground into a powder for oily soups and sauces. Roselle is not shade-tolerant and must be kept weed-free. It will tolerate floods, heavy winds or stagnant water. Its deep roots give it some drought tolerance.
Harvesting: Calyxes in late summer to early autumn when they are bright red and fully developed. Usually available in the first year. Flowers in summer.
Physical Characteristics
Hibiscus sabdariffa is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 3 m (9ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. It is in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
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
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Oil Oil Root Seed
Edible Uses: Coffee Condiment Drink Oil Oil Pectin Tea
The fresh calyx (the outer whorl of the flower) is eaten raw in salads, is cooked and used as a flavouring in cakes etc and is also used in making jellies, soups, sauces, pickles, puddings etc[74, 171, 183, 269]. The calyx is rich in citric acid and pectin and so is useful for making jams, jellies etc[240, 269]. It is also used to add a red colour and to flavour to herb teas[238, 269], and can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute[183]. A refreshing and very popular beverage can be made by boiling the calyx, sweetening it with sugar and adding ginger[183]. Tender young leaves and stems - raw or cooked[177, 269, 272]. Used in salads, as a potherb and as a seasoning in curries, they have an acid, rhubarb-like flavour[183, 238, 269]. Seed - roasted and ground into a powder then used in oily soups and sauces[177, 183]. The roasted seeds have been used as a coffee substitute that is said to have aphrodisiac properties[269]. Root - it is edible but very fibrousy[144]. Mucilaginous, without very much flavour[144]. The seed yields 20% oil[74]. (This is probably edible[K]).
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.
Antibilious Antiscorbutic Antiseptic Aphrodisiac Appetizer Aromatic Astringent Cholagogue
Demulcent Digestive Diuretic Emollient Febrifuge Hypotensive Poultice
Purgative Refrigerant Resolvent Sedative Stomachic Tonic
Roselle is an aromatic, astringent, cooling herb that is much used in the Tropics. It is said to have diuretic effects, to help lower fevers and is antiscorbutic[74, 238]. The leaves are antiscorbutic, emollient, diuretic, refrigerant, and sedative[269]. The leaves are very mucilaginous and are used as an emollient and as a soothing cough remedy. They are used externally as a poultice on abscesses[269]. The fruits are antiscorbutic[269]. The flowers contain gossypetin, anthocyanin, and the glycoside hibiscin[269]. These may have diuretic and choleretic effects, decreasing the viscosity of the blood, reducing blood pressure and stimulating intestinal peristalsis[269]. The leaves and flowers are used internally as a tonic tea for digestive and kidney functions[74, 238]. Experimentally, an infusion decreases the viscosity of the blood, reduces blood pressure and stimulates intestinal peristalsis[240]. The ripe calyces are diuretic and antiscorbutic[269]. The succulent calyx, boiled in water, is used as a drink in the treatment of bilious attacks[269]. The seeds are diuretic, laxative and tonic[269]. They are used in the treatment of debility[269]. The bitter root is aperitif and tonic[269]. The plant is also reported to be antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cholagogue, demulcent, digestive, purgative and resolvent[269]. It is used as a folk remedy in the treatment of abscesses, bilious conditions, cancer, cough, debility, dyspepsia, dysuria, fever, hangover, heart ailments, hypertension, neurosis, scurvy, and strangury[269]. One report says that the plant has been shown to be of value in the treatment of arteriosclerosis and as an intestinal antiseptic, though it does not say which part of the plant is used[269]. Simulated ingestion of the plant extract decreased the rate of absorption of alcohol, lessening the intensity of alcohol effects in chickens[269].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Dye Fibre Oil Oil Pectin String
Agroforestry uses:
Roselle can be used as a companion plant to attract pollinators and beneficial insects. It can also be used as a hedge due to its height and dense foliage. A strong fibre obtained from the stem (called rosella hemp) is used for various household purposes including making sackcloth, twine and cord[74, 171, 238, 272]. A yellow dye is obtained from the petals[240]. It is used in medicines etc[74]. The seed yields 20% oil[74]. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen:
Yes – The flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa are known to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies due to their nectar-rich blossoms., the
2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting):
Yes – The calyces (sepals) are edible and used to make beverages, jams, and other dishes. They provide food for various wildlife, and the plant can offer some shelter, but it’s not typically a primary nesting site for birds.
3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover):
Yes – The plant can provide habitat for beneficial insects and contribute to biodiversity through its foliage and potential leaf litter.
4. Pest Confuser (Smell):
No – While Hibiscus sabdariffa has a pleasant scent, it is not primarily known for confusing pests or deterring them as some other aromatic plants do.
Special Uses
Food Forest
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Prefers a well-drained humus rich fertile soil in full sun[200]. Roselle requires a permeable soil, a friable sandy loam with humus being preferable; however, it will adapt to a variety of soils[269]. It is not shade tolerant and must be kept weed-free[269]. It will tolerate floods, heavy winds or stagnant water[269]. 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[269]. This species is not hardy in Britain, but it can be grown as a half-hardy annual, flowering in its first year from seed[200]. Plants are sensitive to the length of daylight and do not flower if there are more than 13 hours of light in the day[169]. Roselle is widely cultivated in the Tropical and Sub-tropical zones for its fibre and edible calyx, there are some named varieties[183]. 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[269]. It tolerates a warmer and more humid climate than kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), but is more susceptible to damage from frost and fog[269]. 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[269]. 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[269]. Plants have a deep penetrating taproot[269]. 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.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
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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
Roselle, Jamaican Tea, Maple-Leaf Hibiscus, Florida Cranberry, October Hibiscus, Red Sorrell, Abema, Amukan, Carcade, Cay bup giam, Chidede, Chinbaung ywet, Chukar, Chukiar, Ekiganga, Emalakany, Emelakwang, Fol-lere, Florida cranberry, Gamet walanda, Gisma, Gurguzu, Indian sorrel, Kahcieb priew, Kalabi, Karcade, Karkady, Ka-santhor, Kata bahaji petua, Krachiap-daeng, Krachiap, Kuluba, Lakher-anthur, Lal-ambadi, Lal-ambari, Lal-mista, Lokeke, Malakwang, Mei gui qie, Mesta tenga, Mphesya, Ngayi-ngayi, Ojo, Oseilla rouge Patwa, Polechi, Pulichchai, Pulincha kira, Pundibija, Quimbombo chino, Rata bilincha, Red Sorrel, Roozera, Rosela, Sakpa, Sato, Sawa-sawa, Shan qie zi, Shilot sougree, Slok chu, Sorel, Sour-sour, Sure, Tenga more, Thakhlao maikhri, acedera de guinea, ambashthaki, amba??haki (root), ambodi, bissap, carcade, carurú-de-guiné, florida cranberry, gongura, hamaíga, hibisci flos, hibisci sabdariffae flos, hibiscus, indian sorrel, indian-sorrel, jamaica, jamaica sorrel, jamaica, flor, jamaica-sorrel, jamaican sorrel, karkade, karkadè, karkadé, kaunria, kempu pundrike pullichekir, ketmie, khataa, kolada, lalambari, malventee, masts pal, mesta, oseille de guinee, oseille de guinée, pariccakam, patna, patsan, pudisoppu, pulicheera, pulichikire, pundikura, quiabo-azedo, quiabo-de-angola, quiabo-roxo, quiabo-róseo, red sorrel, red-sorrel, rosa de jamaica, rosela, rosella, roselle, rosellhibiskus, roseneibisch, sabdariffa-eibisch, serení, sorrel, sour sour, tak bhend, thé rose d’abyssinie., vinagreira.
Native Range
AFRICA: Central African Repu, Chad, Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, Sudan, Zaïre,.
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 : This taxon has not yet been assessed
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Hibiscus acetosella | Cranberry Hibiscus | Annual/Perennial | 1.5 |
9-11
| M | LMH | N | M | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Hibiscus cannabinus | Kenaf, Brown Indianhemp | Annual/Perennial | 1.8 |
6-12
| F | LMH | N | M | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Hibiscus diversifolius | Swamp Hibiscus | Shrub | 1.0 |
9-11
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 1 | |
| Hibiscus heterophyllus | Native Rosella | Shrub | 1.8 |
9-11
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Hibiscus moscheutos | Swamp Rose Mallow, Crimsoneyed rosemallow, Wild Cotton, Common Rosemallow, Eastern Rosemallow, Swamp | Perennial | 2.5 |
6-9
| M | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 2 | |
| Hibiscus mutabilis | Cotton Rose, Dixie rosemallow | Shrub | 3.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Hibiscus radiatus | Monarch Rosemallow. Ruby hibiscus, Clavelina | Shrub | 2.0 |
9-11
| M | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Hibiscus rosa-sinensis | Chinese Hibiscus, Shoeblackplant, Hawaiian Hibiscus, Tropical Hibiscus, China Rose, Rose-of-China, S | Shrub | 2.5 |
9-11
| F | LMH | N | M | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Hibiscus sinosyriacus | Rose Of Sharon | Shrub | 3.0 |
6-9
| M | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Hibiscus syriacus | Rose Of Sharon, Althaea, Shrub Althea, Hardy Hibiscus | Shrub | 3.0 |
5-9
| M | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Hibiscus tilliaceus | Beach Hibiscus, Sea Hibiscus | Tree | 8.0 |
10-12
| F | LM | N | DMWe | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Hibiscus trionum | Flower Of An Hour | Annual/Perennial | 0.6 |
9-11
| F | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Talipariti tiliaceum | Beach Hibiscus, Sea Hibiscus, Cottontree, Mahoe | Tree | 10.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | N | MWe | 3 | 2 | 4 |
|
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.
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Author
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Botanical References
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For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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