Sweet Hibiscus or Sunset Hibiscus (Abelmoschus manihot)

Common name: Sweet Hibiscus, Edible Hibiscus, Manihot-mallow, Sunset Hibiscus, Yellow Hibiscus

Botanical name: Abelmoschus manihot   

Family: Malvaceae (Mallow family)

Synonyms: Hibiscus manihot

Sweet Hibiscus is characterized by big and glorious, 5-6 inch across, pale yellow Hibiscus type flowers with deep burgundy & garnet eyes. Growing to 5 feet tall, this stout and almost woody annual bears magnificent, tropical looking leaves, and so it looks cool even before it blooms mid-summer. There can be big differences in leaf shape, color and production and flavor but leaves are usually palmate, about 4 inches across. It grows very quickly. Cuttings taken in spring can reach over 2 meters by autumn in sub-tropical areas. While the large yellow flowers are very ornamental, the importance of this plant is that it is one of the world's most nutritious leafy vegetables because of its high protein content. The leaves are tender and sweet and can be served raw or steamed

pic2009 / Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India