Scientific Name: Hibiscus heterophyllus

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  • Pronunciation:
    hy-BIS-cus het-er-oh-FILL-us
  • Common Name:
    Wild Rosella, Native Rosella
  • Type:
    Shrub
  • Family:
    MALVACEAE
  • Flowers:
    Pinkish-white flowers with burgundy throats to 15cm Sept - Nov.
  • Fruit:
    Brown bristly capsules to 20mm
  • Vegetation Type:
    Eucalypt forest - wetter areas
  • Species List:
    Hedges, Bush food, Bush medicine, Craft, Community Gardens, Heritage Park, Fraser Island, Batianoff 87, Upper Yandina Creek, Kin Kin Arboretum
Cultural Notes

TAKE CARE! Some information about bush foods and medicines may be anecdotal. Correct identification and preparation is essential:

Bush food. Young shoots, flower buds and roots all eaten raw or cooked. Hibiscus bark sucked.

Boiled, the leaves provide an excellent spinach substitute

sour buds and leaves of Hibiscus heterophyllus have earned it the common names of native rosella and native sorrel. The flower petals and roots can also be eaten, the tough fibres made string,

Bush medicine: Tea-like decoction made to cure colds and congestion. Mucilaginous decoctions treated colds and sore throats internally, and skin problems externally.

Branches provide strong fibre for fishing nets.

Identification Notes

Open shrub with prickly stems and showy pink and white flowers

Associated Fauna

Flowers attract large numbers of insects that damage delicate petals. Host to the glittering Jewel beetle.||

Landscaping Notes

Fast-growing and showy. Adaptable.