Hibiscus acetosella

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Cranberry hibiscus
Hong Xie Jin Hibiscus eetveldeanus -Xiang Gang Dong Zhi Wu Gong Yuan Hong Kong Botanical Garden- (9204849153).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Hibiscus
Species:
H. acetosella
Binomial name
Hibiscus acetosella

Hibiscus acetosella, the cranberry hibiscus or African rosemallow, is a flowering plant of the family Malvaceae. The epithet acetosella is of Latin origin and is a diminutive of the Latin name for sorrel which comes from the sour taste experienced when eating the young leaves of both plants. [1] Hibiscus acetosella is also known colloquially as false roselle , maroon mallow, red leaved hibiscus, and red shield hibiscus. [2] It is one of the approximately 200–300 species that are seen in sub-tropic and tropic regions. [2] This ornamental is usually found in abandoned fields or open areas, marshes, and forest clearings. [2] Cranberry hibiscus is a member of a perennial group known as hardy hibiscus. [3] In contrast to the tropical hibiscus, hardy hibiscus can tolerate colder conditions, are more vigorous, longer lasting, and have larger flowers. [3] In colder climates, Hibiscus acetosella is easily an annual, but is often regarded as a perennial to zone 8–11. During one season, the plant can grow 90–170 cm (3.0–5.6 ft) tall and 75 cm (30 in) wide as a shrub-subshrub. [4]

Contents

Characteristics

The foliage of cranberry hibiscus is similar to that of the Japanese maple. It has dicot leaves which vary in shape from 3-5-lobed to un-lobed or undivided in the upper leaves of the plant and are generally the size of a small child's hand, about 10×10 cm. [2] [5] They tend to be alternate, simple, and deeply cut with crenate or jagged edges. [1] Leaf color is observed as a dark maroon to a patchy red/green appearance. Stipules are linear, measured approximately 1.5 cm in length. [2] Both stems and petioles (3–11 cm in length) are smooth or generally free from hair. [2] Acetosella is further divided into a section called Furcaria, which is a group of approximately 100 species that have non-fleshy calyx or sepals. [2] The sepals contain 10 veins, 5 of which run to the apices of the segments; the other 5 run to the sinuses. [2] Stems tend to be variegated. [4] Flowers are solitary and sit atop a 1 cm long pedicel. They vary in color and are most often the dark maroon that is characteristic of the foliage with darker vein-like markings. Flowers are rarely yellow in color and are about 5 cm {2 inches} deep. Each flower contains numerous stamens at about 2 cm in length. [2] The cranberry hibiscus is hermaphroditic and is thought to be self-pollinating. It produces seeds that are reniform and dark brown with dimensions of 3×2.5 mm. [2]

Genetics

Hibiscus acetosella is an allotetraploid [2n = 4x = 72] with a genome composition of AABB. [6] It is often used to transfer genetic resistance to root-knot nematodes with compatible Hibiscus species. Cranberry hibiscus is often grown after tomatoes and potatoes and related species of which are not resistant to nematodes [2]

Origin

Hibiscus acetosella is thought to have come about via hybridization between Hibiscus asper and Hibiscus surattensis secondary to their cultivation. [2] It was first recognized in 1896 by French botanists as a distinct plant and given the name it currently has. The plant was probably first found growing around African villages in the southern DR Congo-Angola-Zambia region. The crop was brought to Brazil and South-East Asia where it was most likely used as sustenance for enslaved Africans. [2] It is now considered more popular in Brazil than its original location in Africa, where it is now regularly cultivated and eaten as a spinach-like green.

Living conditions

Cranberry hibiscus is cultivated in medium altitudes in areas of high rainfall although it does do fairly well in droughts. [2] It requires moist soil with good drainage and a range of partial shade to full sun exposure. [2] The plant does well in slightly acidic conditions with a soil pH between 6.1 and 6.5. [7] Cranberry hibiscus tends to flower late in season when days are shorter. Flowers open for a few hours during the late fall to early winter at midday. [4] Although the plant itself remains in bloom for a few weeks, once open, a flower remains so for just one day. Plants typically succumb to cold weather in the Midwest prior to flowers appearing

Growing at home

Seeds germinate easily within 3–4 days in a container but tend to grow rapidly. Light is not required for germination. Cranberry hibiscus propagates well with cuttings, which will take root in soil or water. [4] The plant can be maintained in an oval form by pinching or cutting it back during the summer. Otherwise, it will have one dominant stem. [1]

Edible properties

Cranberry hibiscus is mostly known for its slightly sour to pleasantly tart-tasting young leaves, which are commonly used as a vegetable, either raw or cooked. In South America, the leaves are used, sparingly, in salads and stir-fries. Leaves are eaten in small quantities, however, due to acid content and because they are mucilaginous. Cranberry hibiscus leaves also contribute to the décor of various dishes as they retain their color after being cooked. [7]

The flowers are used to make teas or other drinks, in which they contribute a deep color, and possible mild medicinal benefits, rather than taste. In Central America, the flowers are combined with ice, sugar, lemon or lime juice, and water to make a purple lemonade. [2] [7]

The root is edible, however, it is thought of as fibrous and distasteful. [2] Contrary to similar species, such as the Hibiscus sabdariffa (commonly used to make the beverage jamaica ), the calyx (or sepals) of H. acetosella is non-fleshy and not eaten. [7] In Angola, a tea made from the leaves of cranberry hibiscus is used as a post-fever tonic and to treat anemia. [2] The plant is also utilized to treat myalgias, by crushing leaves into cold water, and for bathing children. [2] The plant is thought to contain polyphenols, compounds that may combat inflammation and that are commonly used to treat inflammatory diseases. [8]

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Guava is a common tropical fruit cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions. The common guava Psidium guajava is a small tree in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), native to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. The name guava is also given to some other species in the genus Psidium such as strawberry guava and to the pineapple guava, Feijoa sellowiana. In 2019, 55 million tonnes of guavas were produced worldwide, led by India with 45% of the total. Botanically, guavas are berries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sepal</span> Any of the separate parts of the calyx of a flower (excluding the bracts), usually green

A sepal is a part of the flower of angiosperms. Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom.

<i>Hibiscus</i> Genus of plants

Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. The genus is quite large, comprising several hundred species that are native to warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. Member species are renowned for their large, showy flowers and those species are commonly known simply as "hibiscus", or less widely known as rose mallow.

<i>Hibiscus syriacus</i> Species of flowering plant

Hibiscus syriacus is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is native to areas of east Asia, but widely introduced elsewhere, including much of Europe and North America. It was given the epithet syriacus because it had been collected from gardens in Syria. Common names include the rose of Sharon,, Syrian ketmia, shrub althea (or simply althea), and rose mallow. It is the national flower of South Korea and is mentioned in the South Korean national anthem.

<i>Hibiscus <span style="font-style:normal;">×</span> rosa-sinensis</i> Hybrid species of flowering plant in the mallow family Malvaceae

Hibiscus × rosa-sinensis, known colloquially as Chinese hibiscus, China rose, Hawaiian hibiscus, rose mallow and shoeblack plant, is a cultigen of tropical hibiscus, a flowering plant in the Hibisceae tribe of the family Malvaceae. It is an artificial hybrid created in cultivation in pre-European times by Polynesians in the west Pacific from the species Hibiscus cooperi and H. kaute. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in the tropics and subtropics.

<i>Hibiscus tiliaceus</i> Species of flowering tree

Hibiscus tiliaceus, commonly known as the sea hibiscus or coast cottonwood, is a species of flowering tree in the mallow family, Malvaceae, with a pantropical distribution along coastlines. It has also been introduced to Florida and New Zealand. It has been debated whether this species is native or introduced to Hawaii.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roselle (plant)</span> Species of flowering plant

Roselle is a species of flowering plant in the genus Hibiscus that is native to Africa, most likely West Africa. In the 16th and early 17th centuries it was spread to Asia and the West Indies, where it has since become naturalized in many places. The stems are used for the production of bast fibre and the dried cranberry-tasting calyces are commonly steeped to make a popular infusion known by many names, including carcade.

<i>Hibiscus laevis</i> Species of flowering plant

Hibiscus laevis, the halberd-leaf rosemallow, is a herbaceous perennial flower native to central and eastern North America. Their showy, creamy-white or pink flowers are large, up to 15 centimetres (6 in) across, and are hard to miss. These flowers require exposure to sunlight to open up properly, and then last only a single day.

<i>Hibiscus clayi</i> Species of flowering plant

Hibiscus clayi, common names red Kauai rosemallow, Clay's hibiscus or Kokiʻo ʻula, is a perennial angiosperm of the mallow family Malvaceae. This species has unique leaves that are round and toothed and grow in a decussate pattern.

<i>Rumex acetosella</i> Species of flowering plant

Rumex acetosella, commonly known as red sorrel, sheep's sorrel, field sorrel and sour weed, is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family Polygonaceae. Native to Eurasia and the British Isles, the plant and its subspecies are common perennial weeds. It has green arrowhead-shaped leaves and red-tinted deeply ridged stems, and it sprouts from an aggressive and spreading rhizome. The flowers emerge from a tall, upright stem. Female flowers are maroon in color.

<i>Hibiscus moscheutos</i> Species of aquatic plant

Hibiscus moscheutos, the rose mallow, swamp rose-mallow, crimsoneyed rosemallow, or eastern rosemallow, is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae. It is a cold-hardy perennial wetland plant that can grow in large colonies. The hirsute leaves are of variable morphology, but are commonly deltoidal in shape with up to three lobes. It is found in wetlands and along the riverine systems of the eastern United States from Texas to the Atlantic states, its territory extending northward to southern Ontario.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hibiscus tea</span> Drink made from sepals of Hibiscus sabdariffa

Hibiscus tea is a herbal tea made as an infusion from crimson or deep magenta-colored calyces (sepals) of the roselle flower. It is consumed both hot and cold and has a tart, cranberry-like flavor.

<i>Hibiscus mutabilis</i> Species of flowering plant

Hibiscus mutabilis, also known as the Confederate rose, Dixie rosemallow, cotton rose or cotton rosemallow, is a plant long cultivated for its showy flowers. Originally native to southern China, it is now found on all continents except Antarctica.

<i>Hibiscus coccineus</i> Species of flowering plant

Hibiscus coccineus, the scarlet rosemallow, is a hardy Hibiscus species, also known as Texas star, brilliant hibiscus and scarlet hibiscus.

<i>Hibiscus calyphyllus</i> Species of flowering plant

Hibiscus calyphyllus, the lemonyellow rosemallow, is a shrub from tropical Africa belonging to the genus Hibiscus. In 1883 this Hibiscus was offered for sale in England under the name Hibiscus chrysanthus with Port Natal, Cape Colony, identified as the source. By 1891 the same Hibiscus was identified as Hibiscus chrysantha in the United States, a practice which may have continued into the 1930s and contributed to incorrect species identification. In 1892 the name Hibiscus calycinus was designated as the correct name for the species; but, by 1894 the currently accepted name Hibiscus calyphyllus is found in association with Hibiscus calycinus. At the beginning of the 20th century, this Hibiscus was sold as seeds in the United States under the name Hibiscus Giant Yellow. Because of the similarity of the flowers, it is quite common to find Abelmoschus manihot confused with Hibiscus calyphyllus in the early 20th century gardening literature of the United States, particularly in the area of cold tolerance. If the species identification is correct, the 1903 report in The Flower Garden states that: "Giant Yellow is a beautiful canary yellow with crimson throat, hardy as far north as St. Louis, but safer in the cellar above that latitude", then Hibiscus calyphyllus may have some degree of cold tolerance. St. Louis, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a but there are currently no reports of Hibiscus calyphyllus overwintering in USDA Zone 6a; it is known to overwinter successfully in USDA Zone 8a.

<i>Hibiscus dasycalyx</i> Species of flowering plant

Hibiscus dasycalyx is a species of hibiscus known by the common name Neches River rosemallow. It is endemic to Texas in the United States, where there are three remaining natural populations and three introduced populations.

<i>Paris polyphylla</i> Species of flowering plant

Paris polyphylla is a species of flowering plant native to China, the Indian Subcontinent, and Indochina. It produces spider-like flowers that throw out long, thread-like, yellowish green petals throughout most of the warm summer months and into the autumn. In the fall, the flowers are followed by small, scarlet berries. It is a perennial, which slowly spreads, is fully hardy in Britain, and survives in leafy, moist soil in either complete or partial shade.

<i>Cautleya spicata</i> Species of plant

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<i>Vaccinium praestans</i> Species of shrub

Vaccinium praestans, the Kamchatka bilberry, is a perennial shrub in the family Ericaceae, which includes species like cranberries, blueberries, and huckleberries. In Russia this plant is known as the Klopovka, or stink-bug berry, due to its distinct, potent scent, resembling that of a secretion produced by bugs of Heteroptera genus. The plant is native to Kamchatka but can be found in North America to Eastern Asia. Mostly growing in the wild, it is also enjoyed as an ornamental plant, most commonly in Japan, where it is used to decorate home gardens. Like many other species in the family Ericaceae, its berries are edible.

<i>Hibiscus bifurcatus</i> Species of flowering plant

Hibiscus bifurcatus, also known as the fork-bracted rose-mallow, is a species of tropical hibiscus native to parts of Central and South America, including Mexico, Peru, and Brazil. The species is typically found in open woodlands, forest margins, and coastal regions, where it benefits from the warm, humid conditions characteristic of these environments. These natural habitats provide the plant with an adequate supply of sunlight, moderate moisture, and well-draining soil, conditions that are crucial for its survival. The plant grows primarily at altitudes ranging from sea level to approximately 1,500 m (4,900 ft). In these Regions, the temperature is relatively stable, with daily high temperatures between 24 and 30 °C and low temperatures rarely dipping below 18 °C (64 °F). The species is adapted to environments that experience distinct wet and dry seasons, though it prefers conditions with consistent moisture availability throughout the year.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Klingaman, Gerald (23 September 2011). "Plant of the Week: Red-Leafed Hibiscus, Latin: Hibiscus acetosella" Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Grubben, Gerardus J. H. (2004). Vegetables. PROTA. pp.  312–313. ISBN   978-90-5782-147-9.
  3. 1 2 Knox, Gary W. "Hardy Hibiscus for Florida Landscapes". University of Florida Extension. Retrieved 2013-06-02
  4. 1 2 3 4 Mahr, Susan (21 April 2008). "Hibiscus acetosella" Wisconsin Master Gardener. University of Wisconsin.
  5. ↑ "PLANTS Profile: Hibiscus acetosella Welw. ex Hiern. African rosemallow". United States Department of Agriculture.
  6. ↑ Contreras, Ryan N., Ruter, John M. and Hanna, Wayne W. (2009). "An Oryzalin-induced Autoallooctoploid of Hibiscus acetosella 'Panama Red'". Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. 134 (5): 553–559. doi: 10.21273/JASHS.134.5.553 .{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Cranberry Hibiscus (Hibiscus acetosella, False roselle, African rosemallow)." [usurped] Edibleplantproject.org.
  8. ↑ Tsumbu CN, Deby-Dupont G, Tits M, Angenot L, Frederich M, Kohnen S, Mouithys-Mickalad A, Serteyn D, Franck T (2012). "Polyphenol Content and Modulatory Activities of Some Tropical Dietary Plant Extracts on the Oxidant Activities of Neutrophils and Myeloperoxidase". International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 13 (1): 628–650. doi: 10.3390/ijms13010628 . PMC   3269710 . PMID   22312276.
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