Hibiscus - Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Edible Leaf 2G

Looking for a unique and tasty addition to your edible garden? Consider Roselle, also known as Jamaican Sorrel or Florida Cranberry (Hibiscus sabdariffa). This live plant ships in a 4" pot and grows prolifically through Florida's hottest months, reaching an average mature height of 4 feet in full sun and well-draining soil.

Roselle is best known for its tart edible leaves and flower calyxes, which are extremely high in antioxidants and can be used in a variety of ways. The fleshy red calyces are particularly popular and can be used fresh to make wine, juice, jam, jelly, syrup, gelatin, pudding, cakes, ice cream, flavors, and more. They can also be dried and brewed into tea, spice, or used in butter, pies, sauces, tarts, and other desserts. The calyces contain pectin, which makes a firm jelly, and possess an acid, rhubarb-like flavor.

But that's not all - the young leaves and tender stems of Roselle can be eaten raw in salads or cooked as greens alone or in combination with other vegetables and/or meat. They're also added to curries as seasoning and have a tangy taste. The red calyces are not only rich in antioxidants, but also contain riboflavin, ascorbic acid, niacin, carotene, calcium, and iron, making them nutritionally important.

Even the seeds of Roselle are useful - they're high in protein and can be roasted and ground into a powder for soups and sauces or used as a coffee substitute. And the young root, although very fibrous, is edible.

Not only is Roselle a tasty addition to your garden, but it also has a variety of health benefits. It's been used in folk medicine for its mild laxative effect and ability to increase urination, attributed to two diuretic ingredients, ascorbic acid and glycolic acid. Its citric acid content makes it a cooling herb that provides relief during hot weather by increasing blood flow to the skin's surface and dilating pores to cool the skin. The leaves and flowers are used as a tonic tea for digestive and kidney functions, while the heated leaves can be applied to cracks in the feet and on boils and ulcers to speed maturation. The calyces and seeds are diuretic, laxative, and tonic. Boiling ripe calyces in water creates a drink that treats bilious attacks, and a lotion made from Roselle leaves is used on sores and wounds.

Overall, Roselle is a versatile and beneficial addition to any garden. So why not try it out for yourself?