Roselle, is Hibiscus
sabdariffa L., a species of annual flowering plant native to the tropics of
Old World. Some says its from Africa,
others say its from India... Something
for sure, it has been long cultivated in both Africa and Asia.
Roselle is called by many names in different parts of the world,
among the prominent ones are : flor de
Jamaica, sorrel, bissap, asam paya, 洛神花 ,etc.
The generic name is derived from the Greek word ἱβίσκος ( hibískos ),
which was the name Pedanius Dioscorides (ca. 40–90) gave to Althaea officinalis.
Besides being called Hibiscus
sabdariffa, roselle too have other synonyms : Abelmoschus cruentus Bertol., H.
cordofanus Turcz., H. digitatus
Cav., H. fraternus L., H. inermis, H. palmatilobus Baill., Sabdariffa
rubra Kostel., etc
Roselle can grow up to 3 m in height.
Leaves green to red ; alternate ; glabrous ; long-petiolate ;
palmately divided into 3 – 7 lobes ; serrate margins.
Flowers large ; pink with dark-red center.
Fruits ovoid capsules, encapsulated by fleshy red calyx.
Roselle is a hermaphroditic, pollinated by insects.
It is a short-day plant, flowering when day-length is less than 13.5
hour.
Propagation is by seeds
Several cultivars are known : ‘Arab’, ‘Archer’, ‘Rico’, ‘Victor’, ‘Terengganu’,
’UMKL-1’, etc
Roselle had been used in traditional medicine as a diuretic,
laxative, and treatment for cardiac and verve disease.
Calyces are used as food colorings, infused into drink, made into
jams, etc.
Young leaves are consumed as greens.
Heated leaves are applied to cracks in feet. Mashed leaves are used to treat wounds and
sores.
Roselle is rich in anthocyanins and protocatechuic acid. Small amounts of myrtiline, chrysanthenin and
delphinidin are also present.
Dried calyces contains gossypetin, hibiscetine and sadaretine.
Seeds contant g-tocopherol.
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