Botanical identity
A tart red calyx used in drinks, syrups, chutneys and fermented preparations.
KingdomPlantae
Phylum / divisionTracheophyta
ClassMagnoliopsida
OrderMalvales
FamilyMalvaceae
GenusHibiscus
Scientific name with authorshipHibiscus sabdariffa L.
Curated parts indexedCalyces
Indexed scientific synonyms
Abelmoschus cruentus Walp.Furcaria sabdariffa (L.) Ulbr.Hibiscus acetosus NoronhaHibiscus cruentus Bertol.Hibiscus cuneatus Bertol.Hibiscus digitatus Cav.Hibiscus digitatus var. kerrianus DC.Hibiscus fraternus L.Hibiscus gossypifolius Mill.Hibiscus masuianus De Wild. & T.DurandHibiscus palmatilobus Baill.Hibiscus sabbariffa L.Hibiscus sabdariffa var. albus A.Howard & G.HowardHibiscus sabdariffa var. altissima WesterHibiscus sabdariffa var. bhaghalpuriensis A.Howard & G.HowardHibiscus sabdariffa var. intermedius A.Howard & G.HowardHibiscus sabdariffa var. ruber A.Howard & G.HowardHibiscus sanguineus Griff.Hibiscus subdariffa Rottb.Sabdariffa digitata (Cav.) Kostel.Sabdariffa rubra Kostel.
Documented use categories
Medicine
Human food
Animal food
Environmental use
Gene source
Material
Poison reported
Social use
These categories describe the kinds of human-use reports attached to the taxon in the source checklist. Multiple categories can coexist; a plant may be recorded as both food and poison, depending on part, preparation and context.
How to interpret this record
Traditional and practical context
Traditional and practical context is preparation-specific. A documented use category is not proof of clinical effectiveness.
Evidence boundary
Evidence must be assessed by exact species, plant part, preparation, route, dose and health question.
Safety boundary
Confirm botanical identity, plant part, route, dose, medicines, allergies, pregnancy, breastfeeding and age before use.
Dataset record and provenance
DatasetWCUPS 2020
LicenceCC BY 4.0
Name sourceIPNI
IPNI / external identifier326388-2
Use codesAF EU GS HF MA ME PO SU
Crop wild relativeNo
Contributing checklist sources
Kew Economic Botany CollectionUSDA GRINMedicinal Plant Names Services v8.2Useful Plants of New GuineaPlant Resources of South-East AsiaPlant Resources for Tropical AfricaUseful Plant ProjectUseful Plants of West Tropical AfricaMalaria and Fever in Latin America
Read the full dataset citation, licence and import methodology →
!Educational index, not a treatment recommendation
The presence of a taxon in this database does not provide a diagnosis, dose, formulation or assurance of safety. Some indexed plants are toxic, regulated, endangered or unsafe in specific life stages.