This species is not universally accepted as distinct. The 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families' accepts it as being closely related to, but distinct from, Hibiscus cannabinus; whilst the African Plant Database[] treats it as a synonym of Hibiscus cannabinus[].

Common Name:

General Information

Hibiscus asper is an annual to perennial herb growing up to 2 metres tall. The stems have fine prickles[, ].
The plant is occasionally cultivated as a vegetable and fibre crop, especially in Senegal and DR Congo[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Senegal to Ethiopia and Uganda, south to Angola, Zambia, Mozambique and Madagascar.

Habitat

Ruderal and wild, in abandoned farm fields, savannahs, grassland, river alluvium, moist rock basins, and edges of gallery forest[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A locally selected type of Hibiscus asper with narrow leaves is cultivated on a small scale in Senegal[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked[299. They are boiled and eaten as a vegetable, especially in the Sahel region[, ].

Young fruits - cooked. They are mucilaginous and are used to thicken soups[].

Medicinal

The leaves are dried over a fire and then applied to eczematous sores[]. The leaves are also used to treat a range of other skin problems[].

The plant is antidote, depurative, diuretic, restorative and tonic[]. It is used to treat a variety of complaints including urethritis, anaemia, jaundice, malaria, angina, poisoning, painful and irregular menstruation, and leucorrhoea[].

Other Uses

A fibre is obtained from the plant[]. Although the source is not mentioned, it is almost certainly from the stem bark[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ or in containers. Germination is usually quite rapid. 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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