Common Name:

General Information

Hibiscus surattensis is a much-branched, prostrate or climbing annual plant producing weak stems from 1 - 7 metres long[, , ]. All parts of the plant, including the weak stems and leaf stalks, are covered with small downward-pointing soft prickles and hairs[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is commonly used as a potherb in many areas in Africa and Asia, where the leaves are usually harvested from the wild but are sometimes cultivated[]..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - widespread in the moister regions; Madagascar, Seychelles, Comoros; Indian subcontinent, Indo-China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippine

Habitat

Grassland and at forest edges in lowland and at medium elevations up to 1,700 metres[]. Also found in marshes, abandoned fields and plantations, on waste ground near habitation, and in coastal habitats such as sand dunes[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual Climber
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of moist tropical areas where it is found at elevations up to 1,700 metres. It is found in regions with an average annual rainfall of 1,000 - 1,600mm[, ].
Succeeds in a variety of soil types[].

Edible Uses

Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked[]. An acid flavour and mucilaginous texture, they are added to salads, cooked as a potherb, put in curries, used as a flavouring etc[]. The mucilaginous leaves are added to sauces, soups etc as a thickener[].

Medicinal

The plant is regarded as a tonic for heart and stomach[].
Used externally, the ash from the plant is applied to cuts, and an infusion is used to treat itch caused by chickenpox[].

The leaf sap is taken to prevent miscarriage and to treat vertigo[]. A lotion of the leaf and stem is used for the treatment of penile irritation of any sort, including venereal sores and urethritis. An infusion is also used for injecting into the urethra and vagina to treat gonorrhoea and other inflammations. An ointment made from the leaves is sometimes applied for the same purposes[, ].
The leaves are used in poultices to treat conditions such as boils[]. The dried leaf powder is used to cure wounds[].

The seed has been used as a remedy for eye diseases and dysentery[].

A root decoction is used as a laxative[].

Other Uses

The bark yields a fibre, which is occasionally used as cordage[]. A good quality fibre[].

The cooked leaves are used to coagulate the latex of Landolphia spp[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ or in containers. Germination is usually fairly rapid and no special pretreatment is needed, although germination will be faster if the seed is abraded or soaked prior to sowing[]. Prick out container-grown seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions when they are 10cm or more tall.

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