Roselle, Rosella
Hibiscus sabdariffa

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

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.

There are about 220 Hibiscus species. Chemical composition (calyx): Protein (crude) = 10.9% (dry). Fat = 1.1% (dry). Fibre (crude) = 10.7% (dry). Ash (insoluble) = 11.5% (dry). Carbohydrate (soluble): Starch = 2.8% (dry). Sucrose = Ø %. D-glucose = 3.5% (dry). D-fructose = 0.9% (dry). Amino acids (g [16g N]-1): Aspartic acid = 39.0g. Threonine = 1.8g. Serine = 2.0g. Glutamic acid = 6.9g. Proline = 3.9g. Glycine = 2.4g. Alanine = 2.4g. Valine = 2.4g. Cysteine = 0.3g. Methionine = 0.7g. Isoleucine = 2.0g. Leucine = 3.0g. Tyrosine = 1.1g. Lysine = 2.6g. Phenylalanine = 1.7g. Lysine = 2.6g. Histidine = 1.5g. Arginine = 2.5g. Minerals: Sulphur = 0.13% (dry). Potassium = 0.13% (dry). Magnesium = 0.33% (dry). Calcium = 1.29% (dry). Na = 0.01% (dry). K = 2.53% (dry). Zinc = 41 mg/kg-1 (dry). Iron = 97 mg/kg-1 (dry). Manganese = 416 mg/kg-1 (dry). Copper = 5 mg/kg-1 (dry). Aluminium = 66 mg/kg-1 (dry).

Where it is found

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.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Amazon, Andamans, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, Chad, China, Congo DR, Congo R, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Equatorial-Guinea, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rotuma, Rwanda, Sahel, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Uganda, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The swollen bases of the flowers are used for jams or drinks. The young leaves can be cooked and eaten. They can also be dried and used later. The flowers can be used to flavour drinks. The seeds can be eaten. They can be dried and ground. They can be pressed for oil. They are also fermented. The dried ground seeds are used for coffee.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. The leaves and flowers are sold in markets in India. In Papua New Guinea, not common except in areas where people have been encouraged to grow it. eg Sepik. Leaves are sold in local markets. They are commonly eaten in Senegal.

Edible parts

Calyces, leaves, seeds, flowers - tea, vegetable, fruit

How it is grown

Seeds are sown and the seedlings can be transplanted. They are transplanted when 15-20 cm high. Seed should be planted 1-2.5 cm deep. A spacing of 50 cm x 50 cm is suitable although a wider spacing is used for fruit and a closer one for leaves. Plants can be propagated by cuttings.

Fruit are ready 12-15 weeks after sowing. The bracts are picked 15-20 days after flowering. They can produce about 1 kg per plant. The yield of leaves can be 10 tons per hectare. Young leaves are plucked from the plant.

Its other names

Local names

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