Yellow Hibiscus
Hibiscus panduriformis

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It has a woody rootstock. It often only has a few erect stems. It grows 2.7 m tall. The branches are densely hairy. Young growth is greyish. The leaves are 4-10 cm long by 3-8 cm wide. They are broadly oval to heart shaped. The leaf stalks are 3-7 cm long. They are dull green and have hairs on both surfaces. There are teeth along the edges. The flowers are 6-9 cm across and bright yellow. They have a dark red blotch at the centre. The flowers occur singly in the axils of the upper leaves. The fruit is a capsule 1.2-1.7 cm long and 1-1.2 cm wide. It is densely hairy. The seeds have short hairs.

There are about 220 Hibiscus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits tropical places. It grows in northern and central Australia. It grows in woodland on heavy soils along stream banks. It needs an open sunny position and well drained soil. It is not very frost tolerant. It grows in savannah areas in West Africa. Bombay.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, East Africa, India, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, SE Asia, Senegal, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds are mixed with millet and ground into flour.

Edible parts

Flowers, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Plants grow rapidly in the wet season.

Its other names

Local names

Da orignan, Kasli, Kere da ka, Taw-yon-padi

Synonyms

Abelmoschus panduriformis Hassk.; Hibiscus austrinus Juswara & Craven; Hibiscus mollis Zipp. ex Span.; Hibiscus multistipulatus Garcke; Hibiscus panduriformis var. australis Hochr.; Hibiscus tubulosus Cav.; Hibiscus velutinus DC.;