Common Name:

General Information

Hibiscus rostellatus is a much-branched, prickly, usually scrambling or climbing shrub though sometimes the stems are erect; the stems can be 4 - 5 metres long and 2 - 4cm in diameter[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. The foliage is said to repel reptiles.

Known Hazards

The foliage often has stinging hairs on it[].

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Senegal to Ethiopia, south to Angola, Mozambique and northeast S. Africa

Habitat

Riverine forest, edges of humid or flooded forest associations, depressions, savannah, river banks, swamp, clearings, cultivations; at elevations up to 1,400 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[, ].

Medicinal

The leaves are diuretic, hepatic, laxative, pectoral, stomachic, vulnerary. They are used in the treatment of various diseases[].

Other Uses

The foliage is used to repel reptiles[].

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[].

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: 10 times itself is?