254 Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



Hibiscus cannabinus, Linne. (H. radiatus, Canvanillds. ) 



Tropical Asia, Africa and Australia. An annual showy herb, 

 yielding the Ambari-Hemp. Stems to 12 feet high, without ramifi- 

 cation if closely sown. Rich soil on the Nile has yielded over 

 3,000 Ibs. of clear fibre from one acre. The bearing strength is 

 often found to be more than that of the Sunn-fibre. The leaves 

 serve as sorrel-spinage. Several other Hibisci can be utilised in 

 the same manner, for instance the Indian H. tetraphyllus (Roxburgh). 

 Good fibre is also obtained from Sida rhombifolia (Linne), but this 

 plant is apt to become in warm zones a most troublesome weed. 



Hibiscus elatus, Swartz. (Paritium elatum, G. Don.) 



West-Jndies, extending to Guiana. Grows to a tree of good size. 

 It furnishes the Cuba-bast, much used for tying cigars. Hardy in 

 Natal, where it grew in six years to 23 feet [J. M. Wood]. 



Hibiscus esculentus, Linne". 



Tropical Africa. A tall herb. The unripe mucilaginous seed- 

 capsules are known as Ochro, Okra Bandakai or Gumbo, and used 

 as a culinary vegetable. The summers of Victoria bring them to 

 maturity. In Central- Australia it is also only a summer-plant. 'The 

 Ochro can be preserved by being dried either in the sun or by 

 artificial heat after previous slicing. The leaves of this and allied 

 species can be used as pot-herbs. The seeds retain their vitality for 

 about five years [Vilmorin]. In hot moist countries also multiplied 

 from cuttings, and there growing with amazing quickness. Dr. A. 

 Gibson pronounces the Ochro quite a safe food, even when exten- 

 sively consumed. 



Hibiscus Ludwigii, Ecklon and Zeyher. 



South-Africa. A tall, shrubby and highly ornamental species, 

 desirable also as yielding a fibre of fair strength and toughness. 



Hibiscus Sabdariffa, Linne. 



Tropical Asia and Africa. The Oseille de Guinee. A showy 

 annual plant, occasionally of more than one year's duration, admitting 

 of culture in the warmer temperate regions ; it is however cut down 

 by frost. It yields the Rosella-fibre. The acidulous calyces furnish 

 a delicious sorrel and rosella-jellies, particularly relished in hot 

 climes ; they serve also for pickles. An allied culinary species 

 occurs on the Senegal. H. digitalus (Cavanilles) is another cognate 

 species of similar utility from Brazil. H. punctatus (Dalzell and 

 ^Gibson) is mentioned as an annual fibre-plant occurring in Sindh and 

 Mooltan. 



