Common Name:

General Information

Hibiscus poeppigii is a perennial plant with an open, branching habit and stems that become more or less woody, especially near the base; it can grow up to 180cm tall[].
The plant is sometimes gathered from the wild for local medicinal use.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Caribbean - Cuba, Jamaica; Southeastern N. America - Florida; C. America - Guatemala to central Mexico

Habitat

Open thickets and hammocks, limestone-derived soils; near the coast in Florida[]. Rockland or coastal hammocks in southern Florida.

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	1.20 m
Pollinators	Humming Birds
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is used medicinally in the same ways as Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis)[].

These uses are as follows:-

Marsh mallow is a very useful household medicinal herb. Its soothing demulcent properties make it very effective in treating inflammations and irritations of the mucous membranes such as the alimentary canal, the urinary and the respiratory organs[, ]. The root counters excess stomach acid, peptic ulceration and gastritis[]. It is also applied externally to bruises, sprains, aching muscles, insect bites, skin inflammations, splinters etc[, ].
The whole plant, but especially the root, is antitussive, demulcent, diuretic, highly emollient, slightly laxative and odontalgic[, , , , ]. An infusion of the leaves is used to treat cystitis and frequent urination[]. The leaves are harvested in August when the plant is just coming into flower and can be dried for later use[]. The root can be used in an ointment for treating boils and abscesses[]. The root is best harvested in the autumn, preferably from 2 year old plants, and is dried for later use[].

Other Uses

None known

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.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood in a frame. They generally strike readily, particularly if cuttings are taken on an angle through a node and rooting hormone is applied to their ends[].

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