Edible Plants of the World

Native rosella, White wild musk mallow

It is a tropical plant. It often grows on clay and alluvial soils and near ditches. It can grow in arid places.

Also known as:

Andha yiza, Bandheras, Deola, Dula, Harjud, Jangli bhindi, Kapasiya, Kathivendai, Nella-bende, Parupubenda, Ran bhendi, Taw-yonbade

Synonyms

Edible Portion

Where does Native rosella grow?

Found in: Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, Australia, East Africa, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, West Africa

Notes: There are about 15 Abelmoschus species. They are tropical and subtropical.

Status: The plant is used for food in Australia and Africa but not known to be used in Papua New Guinea.

Growing Native rosella, White wild musk mallow

Cultivation: It can be grown from seed. It can also be grown from stem cuttings which start to grow easily. During the time when plants have died back they can easily be transplanted by carefully lifting the underground storage system.

Edible Uses: The roots and leaves are eaten. They are roasted. The seeds are used for perfuming coffee. They can also be used for sweetmeats. The fruit are eaten raw.

Production: Plants flower from December to May. The stem are lightly roasted on the fire, then they are softened by pounding between rocks. The soft central part of the stem is eaten.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part Energy (kcal) Protein (g) Iron (mg) Vitamin A (ug) Vitamin c (mg) Zinc (mg) % Water
Leaves - - - - - -
Fruit - - - - - -
Root - - - - - -

References

Berihun, T. & Molla, E., 2017, Study on the Diversity and Use of Wild Edible Plants in Bullen District Northwest Ethiopia. Hindawi Journal of Botany. Article ID 8383468

Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 4. Kew.

Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 135, 159

Bhogaonkar, P. Y. & Devarkar, V. D., 2018. Inventory for ethnovegetable knowledge of the tribals of Satpura hill area-Melghat, Dist. Amravati (India), Plantae Scientia, 2018; Vol. 01 Issue 01: 01-08

Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1982, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 2. Lothian. p 4

Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 146

Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 343 (As Hibiscus ficulneus)

Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 50

Joshi, A.B. & Hardas, M.W., 1979, Okra, in Simmonds N.W.,(ed), Crop Plant Evolution. Longmans. London. p 194

Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 1

Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 2

Low, T., 1991, Wild Food Plants of Australia. Australian Nature FieldGuide, Angus & Robertson. p 144

Martin, F.W. & Ruberte, R.M., 1979, Edible Leaves of the Tropics. Antillian College Press, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. p 203 (As Hibiscus ficulneus)

Paczkowska, G. & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Catalogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 286

Prodr. fl. Ind. orient. 53. 1834

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (1999). Survey of Economic Plants for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (SEPASAL) database. Published on the Internet; http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/ceb/sepasal/internet [Accessed 3rd May 2011] (As Hibiscus ficulneus)

Terra, G.J.A., 1973, Tropical Vegetables. Communication 54e Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, p 50 (As Hibiscus ficulneus)

Wheeler, J.R.(ed.), 1992, Flora of the Kimberley Region. CALM, Western Australian Herbarium, p 201

Wightman, Glenn et al. 1994, Gurindji Ethnobotany: Aboriginal Plant Use from Daguragu Northern Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin No 18. Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory. p 7, 8

World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew