Edible: Calyces, Leaves, Seeds, Flowers - tea, Vegetable, Fruit
A branched shrub up to 2 m high. It has reddish stems, leaves and fruit. Different types vary in their height, shape and leafiness. The leaves are 7-10 cm across and lobed. The upper leaves often have more lobes than the lower leaves. The flowers are large and yellow and in the axils of the leaves. They are carried singly. The bracts at the base of the flower are enlarged and form a fleshy red fruit. This capsule is 3 cm long and contains 22-34 seeds. The seeds are dark brown and 4-6 mm long. 1000 seeds weigh about 25 g.
A tropical plant. It grows from sea level up to about 1,700 m altitude. It will tolerate a range of soils. It requires short days for flowering. They will grow in semi arid locations. It grows best where average temperatures are in the range 25-30°. It needs a temperature above 10-13°C. It is very sensitive to frost. Plants will tolerate high temperatures. They grow up to 800 m altitude in Africa. A rainfall of 450-550 mm distributed over a 90-120 day growing period is required. It cannot tolerate waterlogged soils. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan.
Common Names: Roselle, Rosella, Abema, Abin kan iyaakaa, Amukan, Ankpama, Asam ruso, Asam susur, Bamya, Bare-see, Beet, Bilat-chinbaung, Bissap, Carcade, Cay bup giam, Chhuka, Chidede, Chinbaung-ni, Chinbaung ywet, Chinebaune, Chukar, Chukiar, Dah, Divay, Ekiganga, Ekikenke, Emalakany, Emelakwang, Essang, Fol-lere, Folere, Florida cranberry, Gamet walanda, Gisima, Gisma, Gurguzu, Hanserong, Hasip, Indian sorrel, Jajewdet, Kahcieb priew, Kalabi, Karcade, Karkady, Ka-santhor, Kasturi roriha, Kata bahaji petua, Khatabhaji, Khirmoishak, Kpakpala, Krachiap-daeng, Krachiap, Kubab, Kudiass, Kuluba, Labog, Lakher-anthur, Lal-ambadi, Lal-ambari, Lal mesta, Lal-mista, Langkamit, Lokeke, Malakwang, Mei gui qie, Mesta tenga, Mphesya, Ngayi-ngayi, Ojo, Oseilla rouge, Oseille, Patwa, Phakkengkheng, Phat-swon-pan, Polechi, Pulichchai, Pulincha kira, Pundibija, Quimbombo chino, Rata bilincha, Red Sorrel, Roozera, Rosel, Rosela, Sakpa, Sangume, Sato, Sawa-sawa, Shan qie zi, Shilot sougree, Slok chu, Sodo, Som pho di, Sorel, Sour-sour, Sum-bawng, Sununkru, Sure, Talingsiag, Tenga more, Thakhlao maikhri, Tikonn'te, Tikwouann'ti, Tropical cranberry, Vaianthuh, Vai anthuk, Vinagreira, Yakuwa, Yakwa, Yerra gogu
Synonyms:
Abelmoschus sabdariffa;
Furcaria sabdariffa Ulbr.;
Hibiscus cannabinus Hiern.; ?
Hibiscus masuianus De Wild. & T. Durand; ?
and others