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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Hibiscus acetosella is an evergreen Annual/Perennial growing to 1.5 m (5ft) at a medium rate.
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.
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
Hibiscus eetveldeanus De Wild. & T.Durand Hibiscus surattensis eetveldeanus (De Wild. & T.Durand) Hochr
Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves Root
Edible Uses:
Leaves - raw or cooked. An acid flavour with a mucilaginous texture, they can be added to salads or used in soups, stews etc[183, 299, 308]. They can be cooked with other foods to give them an acid sorrel-like flavour[183]. Yellow-flowered types with green leaves are most popular for this purpose, but red-flowered types with dark red leaves are also eaten[299]. Types with decorative pinkish-brown leaves are used in fresh salads, being appreciated for their special rather sour taste[299]. The red flowers and possibly also the leaves are occasionally used to make a tea, somewhat similar to the use of the red calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa[299]. Root - it is edible but is very fibrous[144]. Mucilaginous, without very much flavour[144, 299].
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.
An infusion of the leaves in water is used as a post-fever tonic and as a treatment for anaemia[299].
The leaves are crushed and soaked in cold water and the infusion is used for washing babies and young children who have body pains[299, 398].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Agroforestry Uses: Grown as a hedge in food gardens, where it can be used as a food as well as a barrier[299]. The form 'Red Shield' makes an ideal hedge[301].
The plant is highly resistant to root-knot nematodes and is, therefore, an excellent crop to be used after tomatoes or other solanaceous vegetables that are affected by nematodes[299].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Hibiscus acetosella is found over a large area of tropical Africa, usually being grown at low to moderate elevations. It can also be grown as an annual in warm temperate areas. It grows best in areas with good rainfall[299].
Succeeds in a sunny position, but prefers some shade[299]. Prefers a well-drained humus-rich fertile soil[200]. There are some named varieties[200]. Plants are resistant to root-knot nematodes[298].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Propagation
Seed - sow early spring in a warm greenhouse. Germination is usually quite rapid. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Give them some protection until they are growing away well. A sowing outdoors in situ during April might work, though if the summer is cool the plants might not flower and set seed. Cuttings - easy.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
False Roselle, African rosemallow, Cranberry Hibiscus
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Tropical Africa - Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Cote D'Ivoire, Cameroon. Congo, DR Congo, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Mauritius. Sub-tropical and tropical areas.
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 Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| 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 sabdariffa | Roselle | Annual/Perennial | 3.0 |
9-12
| | LMH | N | M | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 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 | 0 |
| 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.
Expert comment
Author
Welw. ex Hiern.
Botanical References
200
Links / References
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