Hibiscus Sabdariffa “Roselle/Karkade” 0.3-0.4m

Hibiscus Sabdariffa “Roselle/Karkade”

Hibiscus Sabdariffa “Roselle or Karkade” is a shrubby tropical annual also known as red sorrel, Jamaican sorrel, sour-sour and Florida cranberry.

Botanically named Hibiscus sabdariffa, it is a member of the Mallow family and has the classic five petals and funnel-shaped flowers typical to this family.

They fleshy, succulent calyx, which swells at the base of the flower after it blooms and surrounds the seed pod is the fruit that is harvested.

It has a deep cranberry color and is used as a culinary ingredient, natural food dye and as a medicinal herb, specifically for heart health (The American Heart Association reports that drinking three cups of hibiscus tea a day can lower blood pressure by as much as 13.2 percent).

It’s a good source of calcium, niacin, riboflavin, iron, antioxidants and vitamin C.