Vegetable kenaf, Indian hemp
Hibiscus cannabinus

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A herb. It can grow from seed each year or keep growing from year to year. It grows up to 3.5 m high. It has a few sharp spines. The leaf stalk is 6-20 cm long. The leaf blade has 2 forms. The leaves lower on the stem are heart shaped and those higher on the stem have 4-7 lobes arranged like fingers on a hand. These lobes are sword shaped and 2-12 cm long by 0.6-2 cm wide. They have teeth around the edge. They taper at the tip. The flowers are yellow, white or ivory and red at the base. They occur singly in the axils of leaves. They are large and up to 10 cm across. They have very short stalks. The fruit is a capsule about 1.5 cm across. The seeds are kidney shaped.

There are about 220 Hibiscus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is cultivated in S China. It can grow in well-drained sandy soils and in dry but seasonally waterlogged places. It grows between 15-2,130 m above sea level. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 500-635 mm. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, Central Asia, Chad, China, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mediterranean, Middle East, Moldova, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, North Africa, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sahel, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Ukraine, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten cooked as a vegetable. They are also used as a substitute for tamarind for curries. They are used in soups. The leaves are cooked with the aid of potashes. The seeds are roasted and eaten. They are also fermented. The seeds yield an edible oil. The flowers are eaten cooked as a vegetable. The bark is sweet and is chewed by children.

Leaves are sold in markets. It is high yielding and popular.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, pods, fruit, flowers, seeds - oil, bark, gum, vegetable

How it is grown

It is usually grown from seeds. It can be grown from cuttings. Seeds will last for about 8 months. Seeds germinate best at 35°C.

Its other names

Local names

Abirai, Amalakwang, Ambada, Ambadi, Ambari, Baguitche-de-mato, Bombajska konoplja, Da ma jin, Dare, Deccan Hemp, Ebirai, Egwanyira, Emalakany, Etoke, Folere-burure, Gamboor, Gaynaru, Gnilorbey, Gogu, Gonkura, Guinea hemp, Kanjaru, Kanuriya, Karkandji al goz, Kasini, Kikululu, Kolokondwe, Kudrum, Lubeera, Malakwang, Masinzia, Meseka tenga, Mestapat, N'coco, Nalita, Narcino-branco, Nsorogwe, Nyaduwa, Nyarogena, Ombira, Oseille indigene, Patsan, Paw sai, Pitwa, Pulichhai, Pulimanji, Pulupu kura, Pundi, Queque, Safed kudrum, Sankola, Sheria, Shougree, Sonkwe, Sosoori, Tid, Tisha, Umhlakanye, Usse, Wuya, Yeberha wayika

Synonyms

Abelmoschus verrucosus (Guillemin & Perrottet) Walpers; Fircaria cavanillesii Kosteletzky; Hibiscus unidens Lindley; Hibiscus verrucosus Guillemin & Perrottet; Ketmia glandulosa Moench; Hibiscus cannabinus L. var. viridis A. Howard & G. Howard; Hibiscus cannabinus L. var. genuinus Hochr.; Hibiscus cordofanus Turcz.; Hibiscus cannabinus L. var. ruber A. Howard & G. Howard; Hibiscus henriquesii Lima; Hibiscus vanderystii De Wild.; Hibiscus cannabinus L. var. purpureus A. Howard & G. Howard; Hibiscus verrucosus Guill. & Perr. var. punctatus A. Rich.; Hibiscus cannabinus L. var. vulgaris A. Howard & G. Howard; Hibiscus malangensis Baker f.; Hibiscus sabdariffa L. subsp. cannabinus (L.) Panigrahi & Murti; Hibiscus cannabinus L. var. radiatus (Cav.) Chiov.; Hibiscus cannabinus L. var. simplex A. Howard & G. Howard; Hibiscus cannabinus L. var. punctatus (A. Rich.) Hochr.;