rosella, not rosella....oh rosella!

I said to a friend that my favourite jam [jelly to USA] was rosella jam and of course she thought :

Eastern Rosella Parrot

and I said, no not rosella ....rosella, silly!

Rosella, also Queensland Jam Plant (Hibiscus Subdantta)

Botanical Name: Hibiscus sabdariffa

Family: Malvaceae

Plant Description: A native of tropical West Africa, it prefers warm climates. Rosella is an attractive annual shrub to 1.5 m high with large, lobed reddish leaves and attractive yellow hibiscus-like flowers. Rosellas are easy to grow, with no pest problems, hardy and productive. Most soil types are suitable, provided they are rich and well-drained. Plenty of water is needed to maintain growth, flowering and fruit development, mulching is beneficial. Three to four plants is all that is needed to produce a good crop. Plants normally begin to crop when about 3 months old and cropping may continue for 9 months or until the first frost. The fruit is ready to pick about 3 weeks after flowering.

Uses:

• Food: the fleshy calyx is used in salads, jellies, cranberry-like sauces, jams, syrups and wine. Dried the red calyx is used for tea and it is an important ingredient in the commercial Red Zinger, Hibiscus and Fruit teas. The tea is very similar in flavour to rose-hips and high in vitamin C. Seeds are roasted and ground into flour. Young leaves can be steamed or stir-fried and are known as Red Sorrel in the Pacific.

• Hedge: Rosella is an attractive annual hedge or windbreak for the summer garden.

the flower of the rosella plant

this year's crop of 4 rosella plants