Hibiscus lunariifolius

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 1 m tall. The leaf blade is 10 cm long by 9 cm wide. It is oval and can have 3 lobes. The flowers are large and yellow with a purple centre. They are 3-5 cm across. The leaves and stems have stinging hairs. The fruit is a capsule 15 mm long by 12 mm wide. The seeds are 2.5 mm long and wide.

There are about 220 Hibiscus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on hillsides and in rocky places. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Benin, Botswana, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Middle East, Myanmar, Nigeria, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten in soups. The unripe fruit are eaten. The leaves are used in savoury preparations.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Antotoron, Baji, Chinbaung-yaing, Gabai, Kattuvedai, Lawun, Pete kuuku, Vendai

Synonyms

Cotuloplecta dongolensis Alef.; Cotyloplecta macrantha Alef.; Hibiscus pruriens Roib. ex DC.; probably Hibiscus sidoides Wight & Arn.; probably Melhania sidoides (Wight & Arn.) Noltie; probably