Wild sour, Bush sorrel
Hibiscus surattensis

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A spiny vine or shrub. It grows each year from seed. It is 0.5-2 m high but often lies over. The leaf stalk is 2-7 cm long. It is densely hairy. The leaves are alternate and deeply lobed. There are 3-5 lobes. They are somewhat hairy and with toothed edges. The leaves are 5-10 cm long by 5-11 cm wide. The lobes are sword shaped and 3-7 cm long by 1.5-3 cm wide. The flowers occur singly in the axils of leaves. The flowers are large and yellowish or whitish and tinged with red. The fruit is a capsule which is oval or round and 1.2 cm across. The seeds are kidney shaped with very fine white hairs.

There are about 220 Hibiscus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They are found throughout the Philippines in open grasslands. In China it grows in valleys and open slopes between 1000-1180 m altitude in S China. It Africa it grows up to 1,700 m above sea level. It often grows in areas with a rainfall between 1,000-1,600 mm. It can grow in arid places. It can grow in coastal places on sand dunes. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, China, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Vietnam, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked as a flavouring with fish and meat. They are sour. The young leaves are cooked as a vegetable. They are also used in curries. It can be used to thicken sauces.

It is a cultivated food plant. It is a popular vegetable in some places. Leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, flowers - flavouring

How it is grown

The leaves are collected in the early rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Baguitchi-di-mato, Bisulsug, Bup xuoc, Chemeenpuli, Ci fu rong, Conistanto, Hansrong, Jehe keng, Jukut riyut, Kakonda, Kalatuytuy, Kashlikirai, Kololwe, Labuang, Lumaka, Madiso, M'bat'u, M'datu, Mala-lum, Mankin-aoi, Mizo-an-thur, Mullu gogu, Mwalavi, Mwawawu, Ogwenjere, Ran-bhindi, Ranbhendy, Taw-chin-baung, Tongwe, Wetma-chin-baung

Synonyms

Furcaria surattensis Kostel.; Hibiscus aculeatus G. Don; Hibiscus appendiculatus Stokes; Hibiscus furcatus Wall. [Invalid]; Hibiscus surattensis var. genuinus Hochr.; Hibiscus surattensis var. villosus Hochr.; Hibiscus trinitarius Noronha;