Common Name: Monarch Rosemallow

General Information

Hibiscus radiatus is an erect, branched perennial plant with stems that can become more or less woody and persist; it can grow about 1 metre tall with small prickles on the undersides of the leaves and along the stems[].
The plant is widely cultivated in the Tropics and is also harvested from naturalized plants, being used as a food, medicine and source of fibre[]

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Probably originated in the Asian tropics by hybridization of Hibiscus cannabinus with Hibiscus surattensis, widely naturalized throughout the tropics.

Habitat

Not known in a truly wild situation, naturalized in deciduous forests in southern India.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

This species is often confused with H. cannabinus, but it is an allotetraploid hybrid of H. cannabinus and perhaps H. surattensis[].

Edible Uses

The leaves are edible[].

Medicinal

The plant has medicinal uses[].

Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the bark is used for cordage and textiles[].

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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