Yellow Hibiscus, Prickly tree hibiscus
Hibiscus diversifolius

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It is often scrambling. It is often 1-2 m high but can be a medium sized tree up to 10 m tall. The bark is brownish-grey. The young branches are hairy and densely covered with prickles. The leaves are oval or round and 16 cm long by 16 cm wide. There are 3-7 distinct lobes. There are hairs on both surfaces, those underneath being longer. The edges of the leaves are irregularly toothed or scalloped. The leaf stalk is 12 cm long and hairy. The flowers are yellow or purplish, with a dark red centre. They are 8 cm long. The flowers occur singly in the axils of leaves. They can appear to be in groups towards the ends of branches. The fruit is an oval capsule. It is 2 cm long. It is sharply pointed. It is densely covered with silky golden hairs.

There are about 220 Hibiscus species.

Where it is found

It grows in warm temperate regions and can grow in the subtropics. It grows in damp places along rivers and near the edges of lakes. The soil needs to be well drained but wet. It can stand light frosts. In Tanzania it grows from sea level to 1,800 m above sea level. It grows in areas with a rainfall between 1,400-2,100 mm. It grows well in deep clay soils with permanent moisture. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. Adelaide Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Fiji, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, St Helena, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The flowers are cooked and eaten. The leaves may have to be used with caution. They are bitter and sour. They are wilted in the sun then chopped and cooked.

It is not popular but used during famines and when other vegetables are in short supply.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, root, vegetable, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Leaves are collected from swamps in the dry season.

Its other names

Local names

Chatata, Hibisco-do-banhado, Ihirene, Khuluza, Malakwang, Muhangana, Muvava, Native Hibiscus, Swamp hibiscus

Synonyms

Hibiscus macularis E. Meyer; Hibiscus ficulneus sensu Cav.;