Common Name:

General Information

Hibiscus sterculiifolius varies in habit from a shrub growing 1 - 2 metres tall to a small tree up to 5 metres or more[]. The habit of the plant is to throw up long straight shoots from the trunk and main branches[, ].
The plant is gathered from the wild for local use for fibre and wood. It has been cultivated on an experimental basis as a fibre plant[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Western Tropical Africa - Senegal to southern Nigeria.

Habitat

Permanent pools; swampy meadows; gallery forest with Raphia[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A better quality fibre is obtained if the trees are cut down and then allowed to resprout from the base[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the bark is comparable in quality to jute (Corchorus spp.)[]. The fibre is used for making cordage, thread, sacks, nets and string[].

The bark is used for tying in traditional hut construction and for basket making[].

The wood is fairly hard, resembling walnut[, , ]. It is used to make furniture and for general carpentry[, , ].

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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