Common Name: Swamp Hibiscus

General Information

Hibiscus diversifolius is a spiny, perennial plant, usually forming woody stems, often growing as a shrub and occasionally becoming more tree-like. It usually grows up to 3 metres tall, but can occasionally reach 10 metres in tropical regions[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for its edible leaves, flowers and roots, which are used locally. It is sometimes cultivated as a food crop and is also grown as an ornamental plant in temperate (where it is grown as an annual) to tropical areas[].

Known Hazards

Some caution should be observed by pregnant women when eating this plant because there is a report that the leaf juice might be used to procure abortion[].

Botanical References

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Range

Originally from tropical Africa, the plant has been spread by human activity and is now widespread throughout the tropics.

Habitat

Riverine areas and swamps in open vegetation, at elevations up to 1,800 metres[]. Mainly by the coast, especially near rainforests, occasionally on disturbed ground in eastern Australia, where it sometimes appears semi-aquatic[].[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Hibiscus diversifolius is a plant of tropical regions in Africa, but widely spread by human activity through the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. A frost-tender shrub, it can be grown as an annual in temperate climates where it can flower and set seed in its first year of growth[, ]. Plants can also be overwintered in a cold greenhouse if the winter is fairly mild[]. In Tanzania the plant grows in areas where the mean annual rainfall is in the range 1,400 - 2,100mm[].
Prefers a well-drained humus rich fertile soil in full sun[]. Thrives in deep clay soils with permanent moisture[].
As the specific name of this plant suggests, the leaves vary widely in shape. The first leaves to be produced are semi-circular in shape, but later leaves are distinctly three-lobed[].
Plants are self-fertile[].

Edible Uses

See notes above on toxicity.
Young leaf buds - they are good either raw or cooked[, ]. The young leaves can also be eaten, they are mild and quite mucilaginous, making a pleasant addition to the salad bowl[].

Flowers - raw or cooked with other foods[, ]. They have a very mild flavour and are very mucilaginous[]. They make a very acceptable and beautiful addition to the salad bowl[].

Root - it is edible but very fibrous[]. Mucilaginous, without very much flavour[].

Medicinal

Abortifacient?[]. The native physicians of Fiji use the juice of the leaves to procure abortion[].

The leaves are used as antidoes for venomous bites and stings[].

Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the bark is used to make string and mats[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[]. The seed germinates inside 2 weeks and should be potted up into individual pots as soon as it is large enough to handle. Grow the plants on fast in a fairly rich compost and plant them out in late spring after the last expected frosts[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame. These will be difficult to overwinter unless kept in heated environment[].