Scientific Name: Hibiscus heterophyllus

Prev Next
Print This Page
  • Pronunciation:
    hee-BIS-cus
  • Common Name:
    Wild Rosella, Native Rosella
  • Type:
    shrub
  • Family:
    MALVACEAE
  • Flowers:
    Flowers are a showy pinkish-white flowers with burgundy throats, Sept - Nov.
  • Fruit:
    Fruit is brown, bristly capsules with 5 valves bearing numerous seeds, Oct - March
  • Vegetation Type:
    Dry Eucalypt Forest
  • 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

Flower: White with purple||

Associated Fauna

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

Landscaping Notes

Noosa Council Preferred Species list. Fast-growing and showy, prone to insect attack.||Successfully propagated by Coolum Community Native Nursery.|Successfully propagated by Tin Can Bay City Farm Nursery.| Successfully propagated by Florabunda Bushcare nursery, Woombye|Successfully propagated by Noosa & District Landcare||Successfully propagated by Barung Landcare||